Geelong ruck Erin Hoare says wanting to spend more time with her family is behind her decision to announce her AFLW retirement for a second time.
The 34-year-old mother-of-two, who is married to former Cats rookie Chris Kangars, was a crucial part of Geelong’s push to a preliminary final in 2023, playing 12 of the 13 games after returning to clubclub as the first pick in last year’s AFL Supplementary Draft.
Good enough to play at Super Netball level with the Melbourne Vixens and NSW Swifts, she turned her hand to football when Geelong entered a VFLW team in 2017.
The 194cm Hoare signed as a rookie with Melbourne for the 2018 season, managing four games for the Demons before joining the Cats for their inaugural AFLW season in 2019.
She played seven games for announcing her retirement for the first time after taking up a study opportunity at Cambridge University in the UK.
“Thank you to my teammates, the AFLW program, and the entire Geelong Cats football club for their unwavering support of me and my family, to enable me to return to football,” Hoare said.
“Playing football for Geelong with these incredible athletes and people will be one of the greatest privileges I’ll ever know.
“Thank you most of all to Chris, Edith and Conor, whom I’m now looking forward to attending games with and continuing to love and support our great game.”
Hoare is the second departure from the club this year, joining Liv Fuller.
Fuller’s spot has been filled by former Richmond rookie Lilly Pearce, with Hoare’s retirement leaving a place available ahead of Round 1 in late August.
Erin has been an incredible person to have around clubClub, both in the early years and since rejoining last year,” assistant football manager Brett Johnson said.
“Her professionalism and competitiveness have been brilliant traits to see in matches and on the training track, and her care for our playing group and the elite experience she brought have been invaluable assets for our AFLW program.
“It was an incredible effort to come back and make such an impact after four seasons out of the system.
“We fully understand and support Erin’s decision to call time on her AFLW career, and wish Erin, Chris, Edie and Conor all the very best on their next chapter.
“Their family will always be welcomed and valued members of the broader Geelong Cats family.”
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