Cats announce new guernsey numbers

GEELONG’s newest AFL recruits have found out what numbers they will be wearing in 2026.

Some of the most famous numbers in the Cats’ history will be passed onto some fresh faces for the coming season.

Geelong’s top selection in the draft, Harley Barker, has been entrusted with #26, which has not been worn since the retirement of Tom Hawkins.

Second round selection and brother of gun Cats midfielder Max, Hunter Holmes will wear #22, after it was vacated by retiring premiership player Mitch Duncan.

Geelong academy prospect Jesse Mellor will slot into #25, after signing with the side as a Category B rookie. The number has not featured at the top level for five years and was most recently worn by key defenders Lachie Henderson and Jared Rivers.

Nick Driscoll has been entrusted with a number that several Geelong players have previously worn. Andrew Bews first made #27 famous, followed by Brenton Sanderson, Matthew Stokes and more recently Sam Menegola.

Hawthorn recruit James Worpel will wear #29 in his first season at the Cattery.

The number will change hands for the first time in 15 years, following Cameron Guthrie’s time at the club coming to an end at the close of the 2025 season.

Guthrie had big shoes to fill, inheriting #29 from Brownlow Medallist Gary Ablett Jnr during his first stint at the club.