Five key Cats have committed to new deals at Geelong after the club’s premiership success just a month ago.
Veterans Tom Hawkins, Isaac Smith and Zach Tuohy have all inked new one-year deals at Geelong to ensure they’re at Kardinia Park in 2023.
Meanwhile, Tom Atkins is now contracted until the end of 2025 and Zach Guthrie until the end of 2024.
All five were key members of Geelong’s side that defeated Sydney by 81 points in September’s Grand Final.
In a statement for the club’s website, Geelong GM of football Simon Lloyd spoke extensively about the five players and the balance of the club’s playing list.
“We are thrilled that all five of these players have re-committed to our football program for next season and beyond,” Lloyd said.
“Players like Tom Atkins and Zach Guthrie are key pillars of our medium to long term future, and as we saw this year, both players demonstrated a drive and a determination to keep improving, which has been a feature of both of their careers since they arrived at the Club. Both Tom and Zach also contribute significantly off-field to the fabric of Geelong with the quality of their leadership and character.
“Zach and Isaac, among a long list of players at our Club, are key reasons why we have been able to achieve what we have this year. Both are experienced big-game players on the field and they drive standards across the Club off of it, but equally, they are exceptional people who we are very proud to call Geelong players.
“Hawk has achieved so much in his career over such a long period of time, and it is a tribute to his hard work and dedication that he continues to get better each and every year he plays the game.
“More importantly, Tom’s care and selfless nature for his teammates makes us a stronger Club. It’s incredible to think that after 327 games and 732 goals, Tom continues to impact and influence games, and we are proud to have him continue to wear the hoops into next season.”
The news follows the retirements of Joel Selwood and Luke Dahlhaus, while the Cats delisted five players in September.