Cats of quality given extra year

The Cats have given one-year contract extensions to veteran defender Tom Lonergan and injury-plagued midfielder Josh Cowan.
The new deal will send 32-year-old Lonergan into his 15th season with the Cats after 186 games since the club drafted him in 2002.
Lonergan famously lost a kidney 10 years ago after an on-field collision in just his seventh AFL game, returning two years later to eventually become a premiership player in 2011.
He played 22 games in 2016, finishing ninth in the Cats best-and-fairest.
Cowan, 25, played nine consecutive AFL games in 2016, bringing his career tally to 14 over seven seasons. He has battled hamstring and Achilles injuries since the Cats drafted him with pick 59.
Cats football general manager Steve Hocking said the club was pleased to secured both players for 2017.
“We’re really pleased to have both Tom and Josh on board for another year. Their football talent, character and the way in which they live our values is an asset to the club,” Hocking said.
“Tom’s football is still of the highest quality and we are confident he will continue to be a leader and mentor to our young defenders in 2017.
“Josh is a young man with resilience and his work ethic and attitude towards his football is why he is so respected within the club. When things haven’t fallen his way, Josh’s character has never wavered and we look forward to seeing Josh enjoy continuity in his football.”
The Cats also this week promoted defender Tom Ruggles to the primary list, retained rookie James Parsons and signed 19-year-old Irishman Mark O’Connor as a category B rookie.
O’Connor impressed at the recent AFL draft combine as a two-time All-Ireland minor medallist.
“I feel privileged and honoured to join such a great club as Geelong,” he said.
“From the moment I walked into the club I felt comfortable and thought this would be the best place for me to pursue my AFL career. I’m looking forward to working hard with the coaches and players to improve my game and become a better player.”
Cats recruiting manager Cats Wells said O’Connor was impressive at the combine and on “a personal level”.
“The transition from Gaelic football to our game is never easy but we know that Mark will do everything he can to make that switch a success. He has a great work ethic and a commitment to come to Geelong and do all the work necessary to become an AFL player.”