𝐉𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐈𝐍: 𝐆𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐠 / 𝐌𝐢𝐝𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐱 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦-𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞 (𝐀𝐅𝐋), 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐭𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐱 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐦𝐞𝐬’𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫…..𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬 ⏬⏬

The Geelong Cats and the wider AFL community were left stunned on Monday after star wingman and midfielder Max Holmes made a deeply emotional announcement that rippled through the club and beyond.

Speaking alongside senior club officials, Holmes revealed a personal career decision that immediately drew an outpouring of emotion from teammates, staff and fans. While the 22-year-old did not go into exhaustive detail, his words carried unmistakable weight — the kind that silences a room and leaves even seasoned football figures searching for the right response.

Holmes, widely regarded as one of Geelong’s most dynamic runners and a key part of the club’s future, addressed the decision with honesty and composure, acknowledging how difficult it was to speak publicly.

> “This hasn’t been easy,” Holmes said. “Geelong means everything to me — the club, the people, the fans. I’ve had to take time to reflect on what’s best for me, both as a footballer and as a person.”

The announcement reportedly left teammates emotional, with several players embracing Holmes immediately after he spoke. Many within the club have praised his courage and maturity in handling the moment.

Head coach Chris Scott, visibly shaken but supportive, confirmed the club fully respects Holmes’ decision.

> “Max is an exceptional young man first and an exceptional footballer second,” Scott said. “While this isn’t news we hoped for, we respect his choice completely and will support him every step of the way.”

Scott emphasized that Holmes remains a valued part of the Geelong family, regardless of what the immediate future holds.

Across the AFL, tributes and messages of support poured in from rival players, coaches and fans, highlighting the respect Holmes has earned league-wide for his professionalism, work ethic and explosive on-field performances.

For now, the Cats will regroup as they prepare for the season ahead, while supporters wait anxiously for clarity on what comes next. One thing, however, is beyond doubt: Max Holmes’ announcement has reminded the football world that behind every jumper number is a human being facing real, life-changing decisions.

More details are expected to emerge in the coming days.