GEELONG has re-signed a quartet of emerging Cats, with Sam Menegola, Nakia Cockatoo, James Parsons and Brandan Parfitt all inking new deals with the club.
Menegola and Parsons have signed three-year deals with the Cats, which will keep the duo at Simonds Stadium until the end of 2020, while Cockatoo and Parfitt have both recommitted until the end of 2019 as AFL.com.au forecast earlier this month.
Cockatoo, who was due to come out of contract at the end of this season, signed a new two-year deal, while Parfitt, who was already contracted for 2018, signed a one-year extension.
Cockatoo, pick No.10 in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft, is an explosive line-breaker who has spent most of his 30 AFL games in attack, but is expected to eventually graduate into the midfield.
The 20-year-old is sidelined with a hamstring injury – his second of 2017 – but is expected to return in 2-3 weeks.
Parfitt, pick No.26 in last year's draft, made his debut in round one against Fremantle and held his spot for the first six rounds before suffering a hamstring injury against Collingwood that is expected to sideline him for another 2-4 weeks.
Parfitt's class and composure ensured he looked at home at senior level, with his outstanding performance against Melbourne (23 possessions, one goal, two goal assists and five tackles) rewarded with the round three NAB AFL Rising Star nomination.
Menegola, 25, joined the Cats as a mature-age recruit in the 2015 national draft after spending four years at Hawthorn and Fremantle.
After debuting in round 18, 2016, he has played 17 senior games, including both of the Cats' finals last year.
Parsons was taken in the rookie draft at the end of 2015 and was elevated to the Cats' senior list in April, making his debut in round three against Melbourne.
The 20-year-old has now played seven senior games, including an impressive round four performance against Hawthorn when he finished with 21 disposals and two goals.
"Sam, Nakia, James and Brandan have all had different journeys to get to where they are, but their level of resilience, commitment and professionalism remains alike," Geelong football manager Steve Hocking said.
"It's exciting to see four of our promising talents recommit to the club, we see a bright future for them here at Geelong."