AFLW: Former Demon becomes Cats' inaugural skipper

MELISSA Hickey will captain Geelong's inaugural NAB AFL Women's side in 2019 after she became a premier signing from Melbourne in the off-season.

Hickey will lead a six-person leadership group which includes vice-captain Bec Goring as well as Richelle 'Rocky' Cranston, Renee Garing, Aasta O'Connor and Anna Teague.

Hickey, Cranston and Teague all crossed from Melbourne to play in Geelong's first AFLW side, O'Connor moved from reigning premiers the Western Bulldogs, while Goring and Garing have come from the club's VFLW team.

Hickey was named to the 2017 All Australian team but tore her ACL late in last year's campaign. The Cats have said previously she is on track to return for the 2019 season.

"It's something that I really wanted to be, the captain of this club. It was part of the opportunity coming down here, as an area of growth for me, and a new challenge," Hickey said.

"I was reminiscing with Dad on the phone about wearing the Cats jumper when I was a kid and going for kicks with him, that was another special moment."

Hickey is related to club legend Reg Hickey and will wear the No.18 jumper in his honour.

The Cats will open their 2019 season against Collingwood on February 2 at GMHBA Stadium.