FORMER Geelong ruck Erin Hoare is firming to return to the Cats via pick No.1 in Tuesday's AFLW Supplementary Draft.
Hoare, 33, took a step back from football at the conclusion of the 2019 season in order to continue her studies in mental health at Cambridge University in the UK, having already completed a PhD.
She has since been studying to become a psychologist, and also had daughter Edie and son Connor during her break from football, the latter born late last year.
The tallest ever AFLW player at 194cm, Hoare started her football career at Melbourne after finishing her time at netball club Melbourne Vixens.
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She played four games in 2018, before joining Geelong for its inaugural season in 2019, playing seven matches.
Geelong delisted young ruck Kalani Scoullar during the AFLW Sign and Trade period, and with Sam Gooden on the inactive list after giving birth to daughter Billie, the Cats need ruck support for Liv Fuller and key forward Kate Darby.
Hoare will be the fourth player on Geelong's list to have had a baby, after Darby, Gooden and Renee Garing, and has started her post-pregnancy training with the club's VFLW program.
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The Cats only have one selection at the Supplementary Draft after signing Irish rookies Aishling Moloney and Anna Rose Kennedy.
Ex-Docker Jasmin Stewart is expected to land at Port Adelaide – potentially with pick No.2 – having taken season seven off from football, former Tiger Iilish Ross has also attracted interest after playing SANFLW this year, while Christina Bernardi's strong start to the VFLW season has also caught the attention of clubs.
Of the non-AFLW players, Geelong VFLW tall forward Analea McKee has caught the eye of several clubs, 2022 SANFLW best and fairest winner Jess Bates – now at Collingwood VFLW – has come into the frame, as has Norwood ruck Georgie Jaques.
