Max Holmes has rapidly evolved from a promising Geelong Cats draftee into one of the AFL’s elite midfielders.
By 2025, his explosive speed and game-breaking ability have not only cemented his place in the Cats’ engine room but also significantly boosted his financial profile. Fresh off winning back-to-back Carji Greeves Medals, Holmes is now one of the club’s most valuable assets.
In this article, you will know Max Holmes’s net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship, and more.
Max Holmes’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Max Holmes |
| Date of Birth | August 29, 2002 |
| Age | 23 |
| Education | Melbourne Grammar School |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Height | 189 cm (6 ft 2 in) |
| Weight | 82 kg (180 lbs) |
| Turned Pro | 2020 (Drafted) |
| Net Worth | $1.5 Million – $2 Million (Estimated) |
| Salary | ~$800,000 – $900,000 |
| Current Club | Geelong Cats |
| Position | Midfielder / Defender |
| Guernsey Number | #9 |
| Relationship | Not Publicly Confirmed |
| Instagram Profile | @maxholmes |
Early Career
Max Holmes comes from a pedigree of elite athleticism. His mother, Lee Naylor, is a dual Olympian and Commonwealth Games gold medalist in athletics, a background clearly reflected in Max’s blistering on-field speed.
He attended Melbourne Grammar School, where his athletic prowess was evident across multiple disciplines.
Unlike many traditional footballers who dominate junior leagues from a young age, Holmes had a disrupted junior career due to injuries and the COVID-19 pandemic, playing very little football in his draft year.
Despite limited exposure, Geelong recruiters saw immense potential in his raw attributes—height, endurance, and elite speed.
In a bold move during the 2020 AFL Draft, the Cats traded up to secure him with pick 20, investing in his high ceiling rather than proven junior output.
This gamble paid off as he quickly adapted to the professional environment, using his first season to build the physical resilience required for AFL football.
Professional Career
Max Holmes’s rise in the AFL has been meteoric. After debuting in 2021, he steadily built his game, but it was his breakout 2022 season that truly put the competition on notice.
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He played a crucial role in Geelong’s premiership run, although heartbreak struck when a hamstring injury ruled him out of the Grand Final team. Rather than letting this setback define him, he used it as motivation.
In 2024, Holmes elevated his game to an elite level, winning his first Carji Greeves Medal as Geelong’s best and fairest player. He backed this up with an even more dominant 2025 season, winning the award again and polling coaches’ votes in nearly every game.
His transition from a wingman to a dynamic inside-outside midfielder has made him one of the most damaging players in the league.
By the end of the 2025 season, he had played every game for two consecutive years, proving his durability and consistency.
Max Holmes’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Max Holmes has an estimated net worth between $1.5 million and $2 million. This wealth is primarily built on his escalating AFL salary, which saw a significant jump following his contract extension in 2024.
Contract
In April 2024, Max Holmes signed a lucrative four-year contract extension that ties him to the Geelong Cats until the end of the 2028 season. This deal was signed amid interest from rival clubs, securing his future as a cornerstone of the Cats’ midfield.
Salary
For the 2025 season, Holmes’s salary is estimated to be between $800,000 and $900,000.
His contract extension reflects his status as a back-to-back Best and Fairest winner. While initial reports suggested figures around $750k-$800k, his continued elite performance likely includes performance-based incentives that push his annual earnings higher.
Career Earnings
| Year | Club | Estimated Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Geelong Cats | ~$850,000 |
| 2024 | Geelong Cats | ~$600,000 |
| 2023 | Geelong Cats | ~$450,000 |
| 2021-2022 | Geelong Cats | ~$200,000 (Rookie/Early Contracts) |
Career Stats
| Stat Category | Average / Total |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 25 |
| Disposals | ~24.2 Avg |
| Goals | 13+ |
| Brownlow Votes | Polled in multiple games |
| Carji Greeves Medal | Winner (2024, 2025) |
| Coaches Votes | Best on Ground in 5 games |
FAQs
1. Did Max Holmes win the Best and Fairest?
Yes, Max Holmes won the Carji Greeves Medal (Geelong’s Best and Fairest) in both 2024 and 2025, establishing himself as the club’s premier player.
2. Who is Max Holmes’ mother?
His mother is Lee Naylor, a former Australian athlete who is a dual Olympian and won a gold medal at the 1998 Commonwealth Games.
3. What is Max Holmes’ contract status?
Max Holmes is contracted to the Geelong Cats until the end of 2028, having signed a four-year extension in April 2024.
4. Did Max Holmes play in the 2022 Grand Final?
No, Max Holmes missed the 2022 Grand Final due to a hamstring injury he sustained in the Preliminary Final, a heartbreaking moment in his early career.
5. How much is Max Holmes paid?
In 2025, his estimated salary is between $800,000 and $900,000 per season, reflecting his status as one of the AFL’s top midfielders.
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