Cats finalise VFL Women’s squad

INAUGURAL captain Mel Hickey is among 20 Geelong AFLW players named in the Cats’ VFL Women’s squad in 2019.

The AFLW contingent makes up exactly half the squad, with only 12 of those players allowed to play VFLW each week.

The five AFLW players delisted by Geelong last month – Hannah Burchell (Richmond), Mia-Rae Clifford (Carlton), Elise Coventry (who is recovering from knee surgery), Maighan Fogas (Essendon), Hayley Trevean (Essendon), as well Erin Hoare, who is studying in the UK – won’t return after being part of the VFLW squad last year.

The other four not playing with the Cats are best-and-fairest veteran ruck Aasta O’Connor (year off), forward Phoebe McWilliams (Hawthorn), Meg McDonald (foot) and Nina Morrison (knee).

Development list duo Geelong Falcons duo Kaitlyn Haustorfer and Daisy Smith will join the Cats once their NAB League commitments are concluded.

Meanwhile, Bendigo Bank has extended its commitment from the Cats VFL men’s program to the VFLW.

“Having been a partner of the club for 20 years, and in more recent times being the VFL Men’s sponsor, it was an easy decision for us to expand our support to include the club’s VFL Women’s side,” Bendigo Bank’s Regional Manager Melissa Pearce said.

“Supporting diversity and inclusiveness is part of our culture at Bendigo Bank, and it is natural for that to flow through when determining which groups we will sponsor and partner with.”

Twitter: @tom_king79

2019 GEELONG VFL WOMEN’S SQUAD

*AFL Listed