Max Holmes Biography

Max Holmes wins another Carji Greeves Medal after being named Geelong's best and fairest for 2025.

The 23-year-old played every game as the Cats made the Grand Final in 2025, averaging a career-high 26.9 disposals and 4.6 clearances.

Max Holmes didn't have much of a relationship with Chris Scott when he was left out of Geelong's Grand Final team three years ago.

The huge selection call, based on a minor hamstring strain Holmes sustained in the preliminary final, dominated the build-up to the 2022 AFL decider.

It ultimately cost the then 20-year-old a premiership in his second season, and what little bond he had with Scott needed repairing.

"With the same injury this week I'd play," Holmes said ahead of Saturday's Grand Final against Brisbane.

"I was a younger player who wasn't as influential in the team, and at the time I was pissed with Scotty.

"Now I can understand why he did what he did, and I respect that decision.

"But today I would've played, so it was very close and it was just a matter of where I was at the time."

Ahead of his 100th game, Cats gun Max Holmes says he has put past finals disappointment behind him as Geelong prepares for its 2025 finals campaign.

The 22-year-old wasn't risked for Geelong's 2022 Grand Final win after injuring his hamstring in the preliminary final, while he was substituted out of last year's preliminary final loss to the Lions with another hamstring injury.

"Actually, I think a little bit last year I did, and going into that game, I was a bit of a wreck," Holmes said.

"I got sick before the game. I don't know how much my mental stuff going into the game affected that. It might have, I don't know.

"This year, I've been a lot more comfortable with that, and I've been pretty open moving into this game with how I felt last year."

Max Holmes caps a breakout season with his first 'Carji' Greeves Medal as Geelong's best and fairest for 2024.

Max Holmes signs a four-year contract extension with the Cats to remain at the club until the end of 2028.

"Max has shown great progression since arriving at the club with his speed and running capacity some of his exciting attributes," Geelong general manager of football Andrew Mackie said.

"He has a great attitude and commitment to his development and we can't wait to see him continue to grow as a person and a player."

Max Holmes has become a target for rival clubs after his fantastic start to the year, despite the impressive midfielder still being contracted at the Cats for next season.

Holmes signed a two-year deal last July, taking him through to 2024, but it hasn't deterred clubs from asking the question as to whether he would consider a move later this season.

Collingwood is among a handful of teams that is understood to have enquired about Holmes when he came out of contract last year, but he ultimately elected to stay and re-sign with Geelong.

Max Holmes will be the heartbreak story of the 2022 Grand Final, with the wingman ruled out just hours before the game having failed to sufficiently recover from his hamstring injury.

Holmes had passed every physical examination during the week, but was unable to complete match simulation drills, which has led Geelong to take a cautious approach.

Geelong wingman Max Holmes is the heartbreak story of the 2022 Grand Final, with coach Chris Scott declaring he felt desperately for the young wingman who was omitted from the side due to injury.

"The decision to not play Max Holmes when he'd just been so critical for us this season was just brutal," Scott said.

"Our medical staff are elite, and they got him to the point against all odds where he probably could have played. The decision was nuanced, but we just couldn't take the risk and put the rest of the team in jeopardy."

Max Holmes may not be available for the 2022 Grand Final after he was substituted out of the Cats' preliminary win over Brisbane with a hamstring injury.

Holmes was distraught on the interchange bench and slapped the turf after receiving treatment when he pulled up short after kicking.

Max Holmes will be sidelined for several weeks after suffering a syndesmosis injury during the Cats' defeat to Fremantle in round seven.

Max Holmes makes his AFL debut for Geelong at the MCG with 16 disposals (10 kicks and 6 handballs), 4 marks and a tackle in a 5-point win over Hawthorn.

Geelong draftee Max Holmes has bolted from the clouds and will make his AFL debut in the Easter Monday blockbuster against Hawthorn at the MCG.

The 18-year-old speedster, who was drafted as a long-term prospect, has starred in two recent VFL practice matches, including a best-on-ground performance against Port Melbourne.

Geelong select Max Holmes with pick No.20 in the 2020 National Draft.