BREAKING NEWS: Geelong Cats has finalized a landmark agreement with Joel Selwood, appointing the former superstar as the team’s general manager. This deal reportedly worth $789.5 million..

In one of the most extraordinary off-field moves in AFL history, the Geelong Cats have officially finalised a landmark agreement appointing club legend Joel Selwood as the team’s new General Manager, a deal reportedly valued at an eye-watering $789.5 million.

The stunning announcement has sent shockwaves through the AFL world, instantly redefining the scale, ambition, and future direction of the Geelong Football Club.

A Homecoming That Shakes the Competition

Selwood, one of the most decorated and respected players the game has ever seen, now returns to Kardinia Park in a powerful executive role—marking a new chapter in a career already etched into AFL folklore.

After captaining the Cats to multiple premierships and embodying the club’s culture for over a decade, Selwood’s transition into senior management is being hailed as a strategic masterstroke.

“This is more than an appointment,” a senior club source said. “This is a statement to the entire competition.”

Inside the Historic Deal

While exact details remain tightly guarded, the reported $789.5 million agreement is believed to span a long-term tenure and includes investments into football operations, high-performance development, leadership pathways, and global expansion initiatives tied directly to Selwood’s vision.

Industry insiders suggest the deal is not just about salary, but about total control and transformation—giving Selwood unprecedented influence across football, cultural, and commercial arms of the club.

“This could change how AFL clubs operate at an executive level,” one analyst said. “We’ve never seen a former player empowered like this.”

Chris Scott and Club Leadership React

Senior coach Chris Scott was full of praise, calling the appointment “a defining moment in Geelong’s modern history.”

“Joel understands this club at a level that simply can’t be taught,” Scott said. “He knows what success looks like, how it’s built, and how it’s sustained. His presence already lifts standards.”

Club president and board members echoed the sentiment, describing Selwood as “the ultimate custodian of the Geelong identity.”

AFL World Stunned

The announcement triggered immediate reaction across the football landscape, with rival clubs, commentators, and former champions all weighing in.

“Geelong have just raised the bar again,” one former premiership coach said. “This is long-term thinking at its most aggressive.”

Fans flooded social media with excitement, pride, and disbelief—many calling it “the safest decision the club could ever make” despite the staggering financial commitment.

Selwood Breaks His Silence

In his first comments since the announcement, Selwood remained characteristically composed but spoke with unmistakable conviction.

“Geelong has always been home,” he said. “This club gave me everything, and now I have the opportunity to give back in a different way. My focus is simple: protect the culture, drive excellence, and ensure Geelong remains a destination club for generations.”

A Defining Moment for the AFL

The scale of the deal, combined with Selwood’s legacy, makes this one of the most significant appointments in Australian football history. It signals a shift where elite leadership is no longer confined to the field, but becomes the cornerstone of long-term dominance.

As the AFL digests the magnitude of this move, one thing is clear:

Geelong hasn’t just secured a general manager — they’ve secured their future. 🟡⚪⚫