Fringe Cat secures list promotion as Geelong unveil 2024 jumper numbers

Geelong have completed their list for next year while confirming the numbers of their eight recruits.

Geelong youngster Ollie Dempsey has been promoted to the primary list for the 2024 season in a move that sees the club’s 44-player list finalised for next year.

Dempsey, who featured in five games at AFL level this year, was promoted from the rookie list in a decision that allowed the Cats to add to their list at last month’s Rookie Draft, where they selected ex-Hawthorn tall Emerson Jeka.

After signing a two-year extension earlier this year, Dempsey will now look to add to his seven career matches in the hoops after a promising season at VFL level, where he booted 18 goals from 14 games to finish fifth in the Cats’ VFL best and fairest count.

The Cats have also unveiled their jumper numbers for their eight list additions, with top draft selection Connor O’Sullivan already known to have been handed the No.14 jumper a year on from club great Joel Selwood’s retirement.

Teenager George Stevens will be beside O’Sullivan in the Kardinia Park locker room after being given the No.15 jumper, which was retired ruckman Jonathon Ceglar’s.

Fellow draftee Shaun Mannagh has been handed the No.7 jumper, which was made vacant by Isaac Smith’s retirement this year, while the No.11 jumper – formerly Cooper Whyte’s – has been claimed by ruckman Mitch Edwards.

Mature-aged recruits Lawson Humphries (No.17), Ollie Wiltshire (No.21), Joe Furphy (No.37) and Jeka (No.43) have also been handed their jumpers for 2024.

The Cats’ first game for next season will come at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday, March 16 against St Kilda.