Max Holmes has had a variety of jobs in his development at Geelong, from half back flank to wing, but has settled in the second half of the 2025 season in what should be his best position of on-baller. Bailey Smith, Tom Atkins plus one of the taggers are probably the A rotation at the Cattery for finals, but in Holmes the team has an extremely capable back up who should be a level above in class compared to Hawthorn's B-rotation. He has inherited his role from Mitch Duncan, and is a proven September performer who can stand up in the clinches at key moments.
Max Holmes has had a variety of jobs in his development at Geelong, from half back flank to wing, but has settled in the second half of the 2025 season in what should be his best position of on-baller. Bailey Smith, Tom Atkins plus one of the taggers are probably the A rotation at the Cattery for finals, but in Holmes the team has an extremely capable back up who should be a level above in class compared to Hawthorn's B-rotation. He has inherited his role from Mitch Duncan, and is a proven September performer who can stand up in the clinches at key moments.
Max Holmes had one of his most dominant games in the big win away to Adelaide last week, revelling in a half back role to the tune of 32 disposals, taking a lot of intercept and rebound work that had been shared with Tom Stewart before the latter's injury. With Mitch Duncan in the magoos and Zach Guthrie playing a support role, Holmes is the undisputed leader across half back; so much so that one might suspect he would come under scrutiny for a possible forward tag in the near future. Perhaps Finn Maginness might hunt him today, but he is good enough to beat it.
