Cats secure Stanley and Knevitt for 2026

Geelong Cats can announce that ruck Rhys Stanley and midfielder Mitch Knevitt have both signed one-year contract extensions, committing to the Club for 2026.

Joining the Cats after 58 games with St Kilda, Stanley made his way to Geelong in the 2014 trade period and has played 171 games in the Hoops since arriving.

A Premiership player in 2022, Stanley has been a reliable force in the ruck for Geelong over the past decade and has been a key contributor in helping the Cats’ young tall prospects develop in recent seasons.

An emerging midfielder, Knevitt was drafted to Geelong with pick 25 in the 2021 National Draft, and since making his debut in Round 8, 2022, he has played 21 games across four seasons.

In 2025, the 22-year-old featured in seven games, including the opening three rounds of the season and the final two of the home and away season.

Knevitt made an impressive start to the year with 21 disposals and 11 tackles against Fremantle in Round 1 before following up with a 16-disposal, one-goal effort against the Saints in Round 2.

Geelong Cats Executive General Manager of Football Andrew Mackie said the Club was delighted to retain both players.

“Rhys has been a highly-valued member of our football program for a decade now and, heading into 2026, will continue to be a great teammate and important member of our squad,” Mackie said.

“Mitch is an exciting young player who showed this year what he can produce when given the opportunity and we are keen to see him continue to learn and develop in our program.”

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