New contracts to extend the careers of veteran Geelong trio Patrick Dangerfield, Mitch Duncan, and Rhys Stanley have been confirmed ahead of the AFL’s first list lodgement.
Captain Dangerfield, 34, has put pen to paper on a two-year extension, while Duncan and Stanley have put pen to paper on deals for next year.
The Cats have also confirmed the signing of Irish talent Cillian Burke on a two-year deal as Category B Rookie.
Dangerfield, who played 16 games in an injury-impacted 2024 season to take his career tally to 337, needs 13 more matches to become just the 25th player in history to reach 350 games.
The former Adelaide Crow also needs 17 games to join the 200 club at the Cats.
33-year-old Duncan is only four games away from becoming the seventh player to pull on the Hoops at VFL/AFL level on 300 occasions.
Selected with pick 28 in the 2009 National Draft from WAFL club East Perth, Duncan played 22 of a possible 25 games this year.
However, he was relegated to starting sub in two of the last four matches, including the preliminary final loss to the Brisbane Lions.
Stanley, who passed 200 career games and 150 matches for Geelong during 2024, will extend his stay to an 11th season after arriving from St Kilda ahead of the 2015 season.
“Patrick, Mitch and Rhys have been strong pillars of our Club both on and off the field,” football boss Andrew Mackie said.
“Their commitment, leadership and motivation to continually develop themselves and our program has been exceptional.”
Burke ensures Geelong’s Irish contingent on the AFL list remains at three following the retirement of Zach Tuohy, joining Mark O’Connor and Oisin Mullin.
21-year-old Burke hails from County Kerry, which is also home to O’Connor.
“Cillian is a very athletic and talented prospect,” Mackie said.
“We are thrilled he has decided to join Geelong and can’t wait to welcome him to Australia next month.”
“A very established GAA player, we understand Cillian has made a big life decision to move to Australia.
“We will support him and have a plan in place to make a smooth transition to the Cats and our football program.”
X: @krockfootball
