George Horlin-Smith Biography

George Horlin-Smith retires from AFL football after 58 games played throughout his 10-year career as a Cat and Sun.

"The people I have met throughout the industry have helped to shape the person I am today, and that's something that won't be lost on me as I take the next steps in my career," he said.

"My time at Geelong afforded me a host of experiences, including my debut game, however, I want to also thank the Suns for the opportunity they gave me to continue my career."

Gold Coast appoints David Swallow and Jarrod Witts as co-captains for the 2019 season.

Witts and Swallow will form a new look eight-man leadership group that includes Touk Miller and Pearce Hanley as vice-captains and Alex Sexton, Jarrod Harbrow, Brayden Fiorini and George Horlin-Smith.

"It's very humbling. It's quite a proud moment for myself," Swallow said.

"I'm really confident with the program and the leaders underneath that we'll see success in the near future."

Geelong trade George Horlin-Smith to Gold Coast in exchange for pick No.59.

"George is a fantastic young man and we're excited about what he can bring to our club," Suns list manager Craig Cameron said.

"He'll add to our midfield depth, but he's also a man of great character who was highly regarded amongst his peers and the coaching group at Geelong."

George Horlin-Smith will miss this week's clash against Melbourne after fracturing his thumb in the last minute of Geelong's one-point win against North Melbourne.

He hurt his hand in the incident that led to him kicking the match-winning goal after a free kick, and needed surgery to fix the injury.

"It was in the last contest. The adrenalin was pumping and he didn't think it was too bad, especially after he kicked that goal," Geelong coach Chris Scott said.

Geelong midfielder George Horlin-Smith is set to miss up two months after injuring the medial ligament in his knee at training during the week.

"Unfortunately for George he injured his knee at training earlier this week, it was a simple slip in the middle of a training drill," Cats football manager Steve Hocking said.

"We were awaiting scan results yesterday, now we know the extent of the injury, George will begin a rehab program once the pain in his knee has subsided.

"It's unlucky for George, but his resilience and professionalism will help him through the next few months and he will get his body back to where it needs to be."

George Horlin-Smith is cleared of structural damage to his hyper-extended knee.

It has been a frustrating year for Horlin-Smith, who has been limited to just three senior games because of ongoing hip issues that first flared up in the pre-season.

"He's having a really tough run, George," coach Chris Scott said.

"George has been symbolic of the players who have been in and out of our team this year. He hasn't been doing a whole lot wrong, it's just a series of unfortunate events that have limited his output."

George Horlin-Smith signs with the Cats for another two years, keeping him at the club until the end of 2015.

"I think help from senior players like Joel Corey and Jimmy Bartel over the pre-season has really helped me develop my game," Horlin-Smith said.

"When you train against them, they teach you little tricks and they're always willing to give you advice on how to use your body in the contest."

George Horlin-Smith is named the round four rising star nominee after 23 disposals, 7 clearances and a goal against Sydney.

George Horlin-Smith says he has learnt a great deal from Geelong veterans Jimmy Bartel and Joel Corey as he strengthens his claim for a starting midfield spot with the Cats.

"They've been really good for me over the last few months, with my understanding of the game-plan and the way they've grown as footballers since they first came to the club," he told SEN radio.

"They've been really important for me. They invest a huge amount of time into the younger players."

The Cats have high ambitions for youngster George Horlin-Smith.

"He really knows our structures and he's a very bright person – academically, he's very smart," Cats assistant coach Nigel Lappin said.

"He coaches himself as much as we coach him. He always knows what he needs to work on when it comes to his game.

"He is really good inside midfielder, who's got really nice skills, works his way out of traffic quite well, and makes the right decisions.

"The other thing that he has is great leadership qualities. We think he'll be able to set the structures up in the midfield and help out Joel Selwood like that."

Geelong debutant George Horlin-Smith provided one of his side's rare highlights with 12 possessions, six marks and two goal-assists in the Cats' upset loss to North Melbourne.

"It was obviously a lot faster than the VFL, but I think starting as the sub took the pace out of the game a little bit," Horlin-Smith said.

"That made it easier to come on and play in the second half."

George Horlin-Smith makes his AFL debut for Geelong at Docklands Stadium with 12 disposals (9 kicks and 3 handballs), 6 marks and a goal in a 17-point loss to North Melbourne.

Geelong recruit George Horlin-Smith only recently decided to walk away from a stellar cricketing career to focus on football.

Horlin-Smith was captain of the Australia under-16 cricket team during a tour of the West Indies.

"It was probably mid-way through the season this year. I really just wanted to keep on playing football and I was really enjoying the season, playing school football with my mates," he said.

"I think it was the camaraderie that made it great and I realised it was what I'm more passionate about."