Pearce completes Cats’ AFLW roster

THE final piece of the Geelong Cats’ AFLW list is in place, after talented ruck Lilly Pearce joined for the 2024 season.

Pearce, 21, will look to make the most of the opportunity provided by Olivia Fuller’s decision to step away from the game and placed on the Cats’ inactive list.

She comes to the club from Richmond, where she played in 2023.

She told Cats fans she was excited to start the next chapter of her career at the Cattery.

“I was lucky enough for the Geelong recruitment team to reach out to me and asked me to come in for a meeting,” she said.

“It went really, really well and I ‘ve bee fortunate enough to be presented with the opportunity to play for the Cats.

“I’m so excited to connect with the girls and fully reap the benefits of such a professional program.”

Before 2023, Peace enjoyed a dominant season in the QAFLW, averaging 35 hit-outs a game and often among Southport’s best as the Sharks finished the home-and-away season as minor premiers.

Pearce was part of Collingwood’s VFLW list this year before the move to the Cats, ranking second in the league for hit-outs with 231 (33 per game).

Geelong assistant general manager of football Brett Johnson said Pearce was a welcome addition to the side.

“With Liv Fuller unavailable for this season, we were keen to add another ruck to our list, and Lilly Pearce is a great fit for us.

“Lilly has been dominant in the ruck at state league level for a few years in both Queensland and Victoria, and she already has some experience in an AFLW environment from her time at Richmond.

“We’re looking forward to seeing Lilly continue to grow and develop her game at Geelong, and know she is going to fit in really well with our playing group.”

Pearce is the Cats’ fifth new recruit for 2024. She joins fellow signees Bella Smith and Kate Kenny, as well as draft picks Chantal Mason and Bryde O’Rourke.

The Cats 2024 AFLW pre-season began on Monday this week.