| Max Holmes | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Holmes playing for Geelong in 2023 | |||
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Max Holmes | ||
| Born | 29 August 2002 | ||
| Original team | Sandringham Dragons (NAB League) / Melbourne Grammar (APS) | ||
| Draft | No. 20, 2020 national draft | ||
| Debut | Round 3, 2021, Geelong vs. Hawthorn, at the MCG | ||
| Height | 190 cm (6 ft 3 in) | ||
| Weight | 74 kg (163 lb) | ||
| Position | Midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Geelong | ||
| Number | 9 | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 2021– | Geelong | 102 (48) | |
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2025. | |||
| Career highlights | |||
| |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Maxwell John Holmes (born 29 August 2002) is an Australian rules footballer who plays for Geelong in the Australian Football League (AFL).
Contents
Geelong traded their future first round pick with Richmond to secure Pick 20 in the 2020 AFL draft to select Holmes. [1] Holmes made his AFL debut in round 3 of the 2021 AFL season against Hawthorn in the traditional Easter Monday clash. [2] Holmes' mother is former Olympian Lee Naylor. [3] Holmes grew up in East Malvern and played junior football for Prahran [4] and East Malvern Knights in the South Metro Junior Football League.
Holmes was an integral part of Geelong's 2022 premiership campaign, but injured his hamstring in Geelong's preliminary final against Brisbane. Holmes was reportedly very close to playing in the Grand Final, but Geelong chose not to select him due to the risk of re-injury, and the significant depth they had. [5]
Holmes won the Grand Final Sprint on AFL Grand Final Day 2023.
Holmes won the 2024 Carji Greeves Medal as Geelong's best and fairest, [6] winning back-to-back awards the following season. [7] [8]
He played every game in 2025, the second-straight year he's done so, polling votes in all games. He was judged the Cats' best by the coaches in five of those games, against Brisbane (round 3), Gold Coast (round 13), Essendon (round 14), Port Adelaide (round 21) and Brisbane (Grand Final).
The 23-year-old averaged a career-high 26.9 disposals per game this season, including a career-high 40 disposals against Gold Coast in round 15, while also ranking first across the AFL in inside 50s and second in metres gained, showcasing Holmes’ offensive threat and trademark run-and-carry.
Predominately playing in the midfield, Holmes finished second in the AFL for running bounces with 72 and averaged a career-high in clearances. Holmes' year was recognised ahead of the 2025 AFL Awards, earning a spot in the 44-man All Australian squad for the second-straight year.
