‘I want to be the leader’: Geelong’s Lawson Humphries primed for 2026 season

Geelong rising star Lawson Humphries says he is ready to step up as a leader in 2026 after admitting he fell short of his own expectations last year. The Cats’ defender, who hails from the Wickham Wolves, wants to contribute more consistently and set the standard in the team’s backline this year. “We’ve got such a strong back line, and I kind of want to be the leader of that,” he said at a press conference on Friday. “For me to do that, I’m going to have to really up my game and be a really good team player, so I’m just kind of looking forward to that challenge and hopefully becoming more of a leader within the group.” Since being drafted with pick 63 in the 2023 National Draft, Humphries has played 36 AFL games, including five finals, and boasts a winning percentage of 75 per cent. The 22-year-old averaged 16 disposals per game across 25 matches in 2025 and led the Cats in rebound 50s. Despite being just two seasons into his career and also one of the Cats’ best in last year’s 47-point grand final loss with 23 disposals, he believed he had more to give in 2025. “I reckon I just didn’t work hard enough in the last pre-season,” Humphries said. “I probably came off that first year and maybe got a little bit ahead of myself and learned a lot pretty quickly. “I think the second half of last year, you know, fatiguing, and probably not as fit as what I would like to have been.” After a stellar performance in Geelong’s pre-season match against Carlton last Wednesday, where he collected 24 disposals and six marks, Humphries said he was primed for his third season in the league. “I feel like I’ve had a really good pre-season and I’m taking it a lot more seriously with my disciplines, you know, off the field, which is arguably just as important as the on-field stuff,” he said. “I’m in a way better place now, I guess mentally and physically, to be consistent all year.” Humphries’ impressive pre-season form was on full display in last month’s State of Origin match, where he was close to being best on ground for WA against Victoria. During the historic match, he collected 23 disposals at 91.3 per cent efficiency, gained 490m, and took eight marks while playing on the likes of Toby Greene. Humphries said the performance left him feeling more confident in his abilities. “I think the way I was able to play the second half in that game, it gave me a lot of confidence that I can match it with the game’s best,” he said. “Just trying to take that confidence into the season, because obviously it is going to be a long year, but there is nothing better than starting your year really well.” He said the State of Origin game was a valuable learning experience. “I think probably the main things I took away were just the little learning you get from playing with some of the best players,” Humphries said. “Trying to learn from what they do, it was a really good experience for me as a young player to learn that.” The defender said he hoped State of Origin would return and eventually include South Australia. “I’d love to play the Vics again, obviously, but it would probably be good to get the South Australians involved,” he said. “They’re a pretty proud footy State, and similar to WA in the fact that we’re not Vics, so we all feel like we’re a bit neglected in the other States. “I’d love to play South Australia, it would be good to see some of their guys. But either way, I’d just love to play another State game.”