INAUGURAL Cat Renee Garing will miss the upcoming 2022 NAB AFLW season due to pregnancy.

The 33-year-old made the exciting announcement with husband Tony via her Instagram account on Monday night.

"We can’t wait to meet our new addition to the family in May. Cats jumper ready to go for our little man," Garing said.

Recruited from Geelong's VFLW team ahead of its entry to the AFLW, the former netballer has been one of the Cats' most consistent players over its three seasons.

Garing has played all possible 23 matches in the midfield, averaging 12 disposals and five tackles, and has been in the leadership group across all three seasons.

EVERY CLUB’S LIST Your squad for the 2022 season

It's a big loss for the Cats, who also saw All-Australian mid Liv Purcell move to Melbourne during the off-season, but the club is confident of regaining injury-prone former No.1 pick Nina Morrison for the start of the season.

Geelong has the ability to replace Garing right up until the start of the season.

INACTIVE PLAYERS 2022

Ange Foley (Adelaide, ACL)
Rhiannon Metcalfe (Adelaide, work commitments)
Jess Sedunary (Adelaide, cycling)
Deni Varnhagan (Adelaide, vaccination policy)
Lily Postlethwaite (Brisbane, ACL)
Serena Gibbs (Carlton, mental health)
Jordan Membrey (Collingwood, ACL)
Sabreena Duffy (Fremantle, work commitments)
Ash Sharp (Fremantle, pregnancy)
Millie Brown (Geelong, break from football)
Renee Garing (Geelong, pregnancy)
Denby Taylor (Geelong, break from football)
Annise Bradfield (Gold Coast, ACL)
Maddi Levi (Gold Coast, rugby)
Teagan Levi (Gold Coast, rugby)
Emma Pittman (Gold Coast, work commitments)
Jess Allan (GWS, work commitments)
Yvonne Bonner (GWS, pregnancy)
Emily Goodsir (GWS, pregnancy)
Isadora McLeay (GWS, ACL)
Gabby Newton (Western Bulldogs, shoulder)