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COURAGEOUS Geelong defender Tom Lonergan will play on for a 15th season after agreeing to terms for a new one-year contract.
Lonergan played 22 games and finished ninth in the Cats' best and fairest this year, but despite indicating he was keen to continue in 2017, the veteran was forced to wait until after Monday's first list lodgement deadline expired.
The 32-year-old famously fought his way back to senior footy after a sickening clash in a game back in 2006, which left him in a coma and saw him lose a kidney.
There's also good news for injury-prone midfielder Josh Cowan, who has also been handed a new one-year deal, and mature-age rookie Tom Ruggles, who has been elevated to Geelong's senior list.
Geelong football manager Steve Hocking said Lonergan and Cowan deserved their new contracts and would be important players for the club in 2017.
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"We are really pleased to have both Tom (Lonergan) and Josh (Cowan) on board for another year. Their football talent, character and the way in which they live our values is an asset to the club," he said.
"Tom's football is still of the highest quality and we are confident he will continue to be a leader and mentor to our young defenders in 2017.
"Josh is a young man with resilience and his work ethic and attitude towards his football is why he is so respected within the club.
"When things haven't fallen his way, Josh's character has never wavered and we look forward to seeing Josh enjoy continuity in his football."
Cowan has made just 14 appearances in his seven years at the Cats after battling Achilles and hamstring issues, but took his chance when picked in round 17, and played the last nine games of the season, including the club's two finals.
The 25-year-old averaged 15.3 possessions and 4.7 tackles per game and gave the Cats plenty of speed late in the season.
Ruggles was elevated earlier this year and impressed as a hard-nosed small defender in 18 games, before being dropped for Geelong's losing preliminary final against the Swans at the MCG.
He was drafted after winning Geelong's club champion award in the VFL in 2015.
In other news, two-time All-Ireland Minor medallist (best in the U18 championships) Mark O'Connor, 19, has also been signed as a category B rookie.
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The 189cm youngster from County Kerry, who is considered one of the brightest prospects in Gaelic football, came fourth overall in the 3km time trial at the NAB AFL Draft Combine with a time of 9:56 to before flying back to Ireland to consider his options in the AFL.
"We were all very impressed by Mark on a personal level, and in what he displayed at the Draft Combine," Geelong list manager Stephen Wells said.
"The transition from Gaelic football to our game is never easy, but we know that Mark will do everything he can to make that switch a success.
"He has a great work ethic and a commitment to come to Geelong and do all the work necessary to become an AFL player."
