Inaugural Cat joins Power

 

GEELONG has made its first move of the AFLW Sign and Trade Period, with a deal that has seen inaugural Cat Maddy Keryk depart the club.

The defender, who played 39 games for Geelong after eight matches at Carlton, will join Port Adelaide along with the Cats’ first pick in the AFLW Draft in exchange for Power forward Kate Surman.

Surman, who grew up in Ballarat, arrives at GMHBA Stadium after 36 games and 11 goals across three seasons with Gold Coast and one with Port Adelaide.

“Kate will be a wonderful addition to our squad, and we believe she will complement our game style well,” Geelong AFLW boss Brett Johnson said.

“We see Kate strengthening our transition into attack and efficiency, which is an area we’re continuing to improve in.

“Our team showed in the second half of last season we can score heavily when we get that transition right, so we’re excited for Kate to bring her strengths to the team as well.”

Keryk’s departure leaves just seven members from Geelong’s Season 7 AFLW squad – Meg McDonald, Becky Webster, Julia Crockett-Grills, Georgie Rankin, Renee Garing, Nina Morrison and Kate Darby – that played in the club’s inaugural match in 2019.

She played every game in the Cats’ first four seasons but was limited to just six matches as the Cats made their second finals appearance late last year.

“It was wonderful to have somebody with Maddy’s leadership and experience join our club when we were starting in 2019, and she has helped shape and contribute to the growth of our program in its early years,” Johnson said.

“We thank Maddy for her contributions on field and leadership over her four seasons in the Hoops and wish her well in her next chapter with Port Adelaide.”

 

 

Image: Inaugural Geelong AFLW player Maddy Keryk has joined Port Adelaide. (Sports Media Image/Marcel Berens)