𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 𝐖𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃 𝐇𝐎𝐏𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑: 𝐈𝐧 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐰𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐣𝐨𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐅𝐋 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐆𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐬 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐭𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐌𝐢𝐝𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐬𝐚𝐚𝐜 𝐒𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 — 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐜…..𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞

𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 𝐖𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃 𝐇𝐎𝐏𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑: 𝐆𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐬𝐚𝐚𝐜 𝐒𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐞

In a moment that has sent shockwaves of joy through the Valley and across the wider AFL community, Geelong Cats head coach Chris Scott has officially confirmed that former legendary midfielder and premiership hero Isaac Smith is returning to the club — this time not as a player, but as part of the Cats’ senior coaching structure.

The announcement has been met with overwhelming excitement from Geelong supporters, who still hold Smith in the highest regard following his instrumental role in the club’s recent success. Widely admired for his professionalism, work ethic, and big-game composure, Smith’s return is being hailed as a massive win for the club’s culture and long-term vision.

Speaking on the confirmation, Chris Scott described the move as “a natural fit,” highlighting Smith’s leadership qualities and deep understanding of what it takes to succeed at the highest level.

“Isaac brings elite standards, premiership experience, and a calm authority that players instantly respect,” Scott said. “He knows what winning looks like, and he knows what this football club stands for.”

Smith, who enjoyed a decorated playing career and became a fan favourite at Geelong, is expected to take on a senior coaching and development role, working closely with the midfield group while also mentoring younger players transitioning into AFL football. Insiders suggest his influence will extend well beyond tactics, with a strong emphasis on professionalism, preparation, and mental resilience.

Fans reacted instantly to the news, flooding social media with celebratory messages. Many described the announcement as “the best news possible,” praising the club for bringing back a figure who embodies Geelong’s premiership DNA. Others noted that Smith’s return reinforces the Cats’ commitment to blending experience with youth as they continue to chase sustained success.

Within the playing group, the response has reportedly been just as positive. Several players are said to be eager to learn from someone who has not only played at the elite level but thrived under pressure on the biggest stages.

As Geelong looks toward the next chapter of its AFL journey, the return of Isaac Smith represents more than just a coaching appointment — it is a powerful statement of intent. With club legends helping shape the future, the Cats are once again reminding the competition why their culture remains one of the strongest in the league.