Geelong has today informed rookies Zac Bates, Cameron Delaney, Padraig Lucey, Tom Read and Jock Cornell their contracts with the club will not be extended.



Zac Bates will depart the club after 19 VFL games over three seasons. The 21-year-old was recruited from SANFL club West Adelaide in the 2013 rookie draft but was hampered by hamstring injuries over his time at the Cats.



Cameron Delaney, selected by the Cats in the 2014 rookie draft after four seasons with North Melbourne was troubled by injuries over his two seasons at the club. Delaney’s latest knee setback kept him to eight VFL matches this year and 10 in total over his time with the Cats.



Padraig Lucey spent two seasons at the Cats as a category B rookie. The Irishman joined the club at the end of 2014 after his involvement with television program The Recruit. Lucey developed his football skills over three seasons, playing 33 VFL games in the blue and white hoops.



Tom Read departs the club after two years at Geelong. Originally from Sturt, Read was selected in the 2014 rookie draft and played 11 VFL games in 2015. The young ruckman failed to play football this season after struggling to overcome a knee injury.



Jock Cornell, selected in the 2015 rookie draft, was a product of the AFL and GWS academies but will leave the Cats after one season and 17 VFL games.



“As a club we wish to thank Zac, Cameron, Padraig, Tom and Jock for their time at the club and wish them every success for the future,” Geelong’s general manager of football Steve Hocking said.



“All five guys have shown great dedication to their football despite the challenges that have been thrown at them and we hope they receive opportunities at other clubs.”