Rohan, Parfitt not offered contracts

Gary Rohan signing a scarf (Ivan Kemp) 300473_15

Gary Rohan and Brandan Parfitt have pulled on the hoops for the final time.

Alongside Parfitt and Rohan, Phoenix Foster, Oscar Murdoch, James Willis, Mitch Hardie and Emerson Jeka won’t be offered contracts for 2025.

Parfitt departs Geelong having played 130 games for the Cats, including nine in 2024.

Joining the club with the 26th selection in the 2016 National Draft, Parfitt debuted in Round 1 of the 2017 season, earning an AFL Rising Star nomination in just his third game.

Parfitt played in the 2020 grand final, before tasting the ultimate success in 2022, becoming a premiership player.

Rohan called GMHBA Stadium home for the last six seasons after joining Geelong from Sydney via a trade at the conclusion of the 2018 season.

Originally selected with Pick 6 in the 2009 National Draft, Rohan played 19 or more games in his first three seasons, becoming a key cog in the Cats forward line, kicking 79 goals.

A premiership player in 2022, Rohan was instrumental in that finals series and kicked 120 goals in 98 Geelong games.

Foster, Murdoch and Willis played the last two seasons in the VFL after being drafted at the conclusion of 2022, alongside Hardie who joined the Cats via the Mid-Season Draft in 2023.

Foster played 30 VFL games for the Cats, playing predominantly as a forward, kicking 30 goals, while Murdoch and Willis played 29 and 26 VFL games respectively.

Hardie excelled in the VFL in 2024, recognised for his outstanding season finishing fourth in the JJ Liston Trophy and earning a spot in the Smithy’s VFL Team of the Year. He was a strong force in the Cats midfield, averaging 29 disposals, six clearances and five tackles per game. He also hit the scoreboard, kicking 14 goals.

Jeka departs after playing 19 VFL games this season having joined the Cats via the 2023 Rookie Draft.

The list changes follow the retirements of Tom Hawkins and Zach Tuohy.