Steven Hocking

Recruited from Cobram, Steven Hocking established himself as a resolute and uncompromising defender at Geelong, distinguishing his own legacy alongside his younger, more decorated brother Garry. A pillar of the Cats' backline during the high-scoring Malcolm Blight era, Hocking provided necessary defensive stability to a side renowned for its attacking flair, often tasked with nullifying the opposition's most dangerous forwards. His career was defined by physical grit and reliability, seeing him feature in the historic 1989 Grand Final, as well as the 1992 and 1994 deciders.

Despite being a key fixture of the club's defensive unit for over a decade, Hocking's playing career ended on a quirky and agonizing statistical note, as he finished on exactly 199 senior games. Following his retirement, he transitioned into a highly influential administrator, serving as Geelong's General Manager of Football during their premiership success before taking on the major role of the AFL's General Manager of Football Operations. He eventually returned to Kardinia Park as Chief Executive Officer, cementing his standing as one of the most significant off-field figures in the modern game.