Geelong Cats AFLW captain Meghan McDonald has announced she will retire at the end of the 2025 NAB AFLW Season, drawing the curtain on a pioneering and decorated playing career.<\/p>\n
An inaugural AFLW player, McDonald began her career as a forward with the Western Bulldogs in 2017 before joining the Cats ahead of their 2019 debut. Transitioning into defence, she quickly became a standout, winning Geelong\u2019s Best & Fairest and earning All-Australian honours in her first season.<\/p>\n
McDonald was named captain in 2020, becoming the Cats\u2019 longest-serving AFLW skipper. She has led the team through a transformative period, including back-to-back finals campaigns in 2022 and 2023.<\/p>\n
Known for her leadership, intercept marking and one-on-one defensive strength, McDonald is in line to play her 76th AFLW game this Saturday against Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium \u2013 her 72nd in the Hoops.<\/p>\n
Fans will be able to farewell the 34-year-old after the final siren with a guard of honour.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis game, the Clubs and communities where I\u2019ve played it, and the people I\u2019ve played it with, have changed the course of my life,\u201d McDonald said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll always be thankful for and proud of the opportunity to play for and captain the Geelong Football Club.\u201d<\/p>\n
Senior coach Dan Lowther praised her impact.<\/p>\n
\u201cMeg has been a fantastic leader on and off the field and has played an integral role in building our AFLW program,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
CEO Steve Hocking said McDonald had \u201csteered our AFLW program magnificently\u201d and had been a wise voice across the club.<\/p>\n
Geelong plays Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium this Saturday night, with the first bounce at 7.15pm.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Geelong Cats AFLW captain Meghan McDonald has announced she will retire at the end of the 2025 NAB AFLW Season, drawing the curtain on a pioneering and decorated playing career. An inaugural AFLW player, McDonald began her career as a forward with the Western Bulldogs in 2017 before joining the Cats ahead of their 2019 […]<\/p>\n