Cobram product Esava Ratugolea has committed to Geelong for a further two years.
The contract extension means the talented big man is locked in at the Cats until the end of 2023.
The news comes as Ratugolea, a former Yarroweyah junior, prepares to run out for his 50th match at AFL level this weekend after making his debut in 2018.
The 22-year-old was thrilled to remain at the Cattery.
“I can’t wait to see what this group does going forward and I want to be a part of it, so it’s very exciting times,” Ratugolea said.
“I got drafted with a few of the blokes who have signed on, Jack Henry, Mark O’Connor and Brandan Parfitt. I love the group, I can’t wait to develop my footy and grow with this club.”
Ratugolea has played nine games in 2021.
The exciting ruck-forward talent has booted four goals.
Geelong’s general manager of football Simon Lloyd said the club was excited to have Ratugolea sign on.
“Esava continues to develop his football craft in a number of roles both in the ruck and up forward,” Lloyd said.
“He’s exciting to watch and has great potential to build on his first 49 games of AFL experience.
“We see Esava as a key part of the club’s next generation and we are pleased to have secured his services.”
In other AFL news, Kyabram export Nick Holman is on the mend after being hospitalised following Gold Coast Suns’ loss to Western Bulldogs.
Holman battled through pain and booted three goals before he ended up having surgery on his abdomen.
“Nick’s okay, he went through a fair bit of discomfort during the game and then deteriorated post-game,” Suns’ head physiotherapist Lindsay Bull said.
“Unfortunately, Nick went to hospital for some scans and had to have a small procedure on his abdomen as well, so he’s still in hospital.
“We’re hopeful he’ll be out in the next few days and able to rejoin us after that.”
Tuesday was an eventful day for multiple Goulburn Murray region exports.
Shepparton product Jordy Butts, along with Echuca's Ollie Wines, Benalla's Tom Rockliff, Deniliquin's Todd Marshall and Katamatite's Tom Clurey were all involved as Adelaide and Port Adelaide tried to depart South Australia.
The two clubs were scheduled to fly out of the state after it was thrown into a seven-day lockdown.
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