Key player hit with another major blow after shocking surgery!
Geelong Cats significant move following their heartbreaking defeat in the preliminary final, Geelong has announced the delisting of premiership players Gary Rohan and Brandan Parfitt. This decision comes just days after the match and adds to a growing list of departures that includes retired legends Tom Hawkins and Zach Tuohy.
Gary Rohan’s season was heavily impacted by injury and form issues, limiting him to just 12 games. The 33-year-old forward was unable to participate in the recent thriller against the Brisbane Lions due to a serious injury he sustained during the Cats’ VFL semi-final defeat, where he suffered a fractured skull. Rohan joined Geelong from Sydney at the end of 2018 and played a total of 98 games for the club, including their victorious 2022 grand final appearance. With 106 games played for the Swans, his overall career tally stands at 204 matches.
Midfielder Brandan Parfitt, who made his debut in 2017, also leaves the club after amassing 130 games. However, he played only 18 matches since being named as the substitute in the 2022 grand final, indicating a decline in his regular involvement with the team.
Andrew Mackie, Geelong’s football boss, acknowledged the difficulty of this transition, noting, “This time of year is always challenging, and saying goodbye to seven great teammates is never easy.” He highlighted the significant contributions of both Rohan and Parfitt, emphasizing their impact on and off the field, as well as their positive influence within the Geelong community.
Earlier this month, Rohan garnered attention on social media after images of his severe skull injury circulated. Despite his injury, he showed up at a team training session to engage in light exercises as his teammates prepared for their crucial match against Brisbane. Rohan displayed a visible scar with 30 staples in his head, a result of an accidental elbow to the head during the VFL semi-final against Southport.
Though he did not require assistance getting to the changing rooms, he was taken to the hospital for further evaluation, where scans revealed the extent of his injury. Rohan later shared a poignant update from his hospital bed, comforted by his wife, Madi. The American sports network ESPN amplified the discussion around Rohan’s injury, sharing images of him training with staples still in place, prompting shock and admiration from fans.
Many commenters expressed disbelief at his resilience, with remarks reflecting the toughness of Australian rules football. Comparisons were drawn between Rohan and NFL star Tua Tagovailoa, who is currently sidelined due to multiple concussions, underscoring the differing perceptions of injury management across sports.
As Geelong navigates this offseason, the departure of such influential players marks a turning point for the team, and fans will be closely watching how the roster reshapes for the upcoming season.