Cats ruck calls time on AFLW career

THE Geelong Football Club has parted ways with AFLW ruck Erin Hoare, as she shifts her focus off the football field to spend more time with her family.

Hoare announced her decision to the club effective immediately last week after first joining the club in 2017 to play in the Cats’ first VFLW squad in 2017.

Hoare said she was eternally grateful to have been a part of the club, also going down in history as one of the Cats’ inaugural AFLW players in 2019.

“Thank you to my teammates, the AFLW program and the entire Geelong Cats football club for their unwavering support of me and my family, to enable me to return to football.

“Playing football for Geelong with these incredible athletes and people will be one of the greatest privileges I’ll ever know.

“Thank you most of all to Chris, Edith and Conor, whom I’m now looking forward to attending games with and continuing to love and support our great game.”

Hoare switched codes from netball to football in Geelong in 2017, where she caught the eye of Melbourne recruiters, earning a spot with the Demons in 2018.

She then returned to GMHBA Stadium in 2019 for the Cats’ inaugural AFLW season, before taking a break from football to pursue a post-doctorate fellowship in the United Kingdom.

Hoare made a return to the AFLW in 2023 after being selected by the Cats in the 2023 Supplementary Draft.

She played 12 of a possible 13 games and was a key member of Geelong’s push to the Preliminary Finals last year.

Geelong Cats assistant general manager of football Brett Johnson recounted Hoare’s time at the club as a strong personality during her two stints at Kardinia Park.

“Erin has been an incredible person to have around our club, both in the early years and since rejoining last year,” Johnson said.

“Her professionalism and competitiveness have been brilliant traits to see in matches and on the training track, and her care for our playing group and the elite experience she brought have been invaluable assets for our AFLW program.

“It was an incredible effort to come back and make such an impact after four seasons out of the system.

“We fully understand and support Erin’s decision to call time on her AFLW career, and wish Erin, Chris, Edie and Conor all the very best on their next chapter. Their family will always be welcomed and valued members of the broader Geelong Cats family.”