From WAFL reserves to a Rising Star nomination: The young Cat's rise to the big time

Geelong defender Lawson Humphries has earned the Rising Star nomination for Round 18 after an impressive performance in last Friday’s win over Collingwood.

The 21-year-old collected 23 disposals at 96 per cent efficiency and took 13 marks in just his third AFL game against the Pies.

In 2023, Wickham Wolves JFC product Humphries was struggling to play senior football in the WAFL for Swan Districts, playing reserves for the majority of the season and only registering nine senior games.

Yet after playing well in the WAFL reserves Grand Final, Humphries was selected by Geelong with Pick 63 in the 2023 draft.

Known for their frequent unearthing of mature-age selections at the draft table, the Cats again proved shrewd recruiters by picking up Humphries who admits he had no idea how he ended up at the Draft Combine late last year.

“I got invited to the State (Draft) Combine and I had no clue who invited me,” Humphries told SEN's Dwayne's World.

“I didn't know anybody else who was interested but I knew that the Cats were and I was pretty excited because I think the Cats have a really good history of mature-age recruits.

“If there's anybody who I'd want to be trying to pick me up, it would definitely be the Cats.”

One of Humphries' strengths is his ability to kick on both sides of his body, which has been a talent of his ever since his junior football days.

His ability on his left and right is so good that some teammates are unsure which is his natural foot.

“I think growing up I'd always used it to my advantage,” he said of his ambidextrous ability.

“I feel like it's just little things, like whenever there's a contest, I can find space probably a little bit easier because I can just go either side.

“I think that helps a lot with being able to be really evasive and try and take the game on, I'm always able to get out of a pickle.

“I think it's definitely a helpful strength of mine.”

Humphries and the Cats will look to continue their recent form against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night at GMHBA Stadium.

The Cats find themselves sitting fourth on the ladder after three straight wins which has coincided with Humphries' ascension to the team.