GEELONG key forward Kate Darby has announced her pregnancy, ruling her out for the 2021 NAB AFLW season.

Darby, 29, revealed the news she was expecting a girl with husband Daniel Anderson on her Instagram account on Wednesday night.

DRAFT HUB Latest news, key dates, more

"Very excited to announce that baby Anderson will be blessing this world in March 2021," Darby wrote.

"We are already in love and cannot wait to meet her!" 

True to form, the accompanying photo included baby Cats jumper.

Darby informed her teammates of the happy news earlier this week via a Zoom call.

She has played 12 games (two for Carlton in 2017 and 10 for Geelong over 2019-20) and has kicked six goals.

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Is this the goal of the year?

Geelong's Kate Darby kicks a miraculous goal after being tackled on the goal line

In previous years, clubs who have ruled players as "inactive" before the NAB AFLW Draft have received an additional selection at the back end of the draft order. 

FINAL DRAFT ORDER Your club's picks

The draft will be held on October 6, with the Cats already carrying four picks into the night.