Geelong have moved quickly after their dramatic preliminary final loss on Saturday, delisting premiership players Brandan Parfitt and Gary Rohan.
The club also confirmed another five players — Phoenix Foster, Oscar Murdoch, James Willis, Mitch Hardie and Emerson Jeka — would not be offered contracts for next season.
Prior to the preliminary final loss to Brisbane, Rohan had been desperately trying to return to Geelong’s senior team but, sadly, he suffered a head injury in the VFL that put him in concussion protocols and later led to surgery on his fractured skull.
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The 33-year-old has ridden the AFL rollercoaster over the years since he was taken by Sydney with pick 6 in the 2009 draft.
His family life has also been in the spotlight after he and his first wife, Amie, tragically lost a baby five hours after it was born in 2018.
The mercurial speedster — who on his day could be electric but had reputation for going quiet in finals — joined Geelong for the start of the 2019 season to ultimately go on and become a premiership player in 2022, ironically against Sydney.
Parfitt departs Geelong having played 130 games for the Cats, including nine in 2024.
In a statement, Geelong football boss Andrew Mackie thanked all players.
“This time of year is always difficult and to farewell seven great teammates is never easy,” Mackie said.
“Both members of our 2022 premiership team, Brandan and Gary have had a profound on-field impact in the hoops, but it can’t be overstated the influence they both have had on their teammates and the club more broadly.
“They have both been incredible for our football program and the wider Geelong community.
“We thank Phoenix, James, Oscar, Mitch and Emerson for their contribution to our football program, we wish them all the best in their next chapter.”
These list changes follow the retirement of Tom Hawkins and Zach Tuohy.
The club will acknowledge Hawkins, Tuohy and all departing players at the upcoming 2024 Carji Greeves Medal event on Thursday, October 3.
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