The Cats own a top eight pick in the AFL Draft for the second year in a row; before last year, they hadn’t been in this selection area since 2006.
Joel Selwood, the eventual premiership captain and games record holder, was selected in 2006. Since the hard-nosed midfielder arrived at Kardinia Park, the Cats have only selected two top-10 prospects.
Given their ageing list and their 12th-place result in 2023, Geelong will be looking to the future after a year in which they came nowhere near to defending their championship title.
What strategy will the Cats employ for the National Draft this year? We’ve examined the club’s few selections, needs, and prospective targets for November’s intake.
Draft Hand
Picks: 8, 25, 76, 87, 94
After picking up a trio of draft selections for the loss of key defender Esava Ratugolea, the Cats’ draft hand looks much stronger than their hand of Picks 8 and 87 prior to trade period deadline day.
Pick 25 will give Geelong early access to the available talent pool on night two of the National Draft, while their trio of late draft selections will likely come up the order following passed selections and Academy/father-son bids.
Football manager Andrew Mackie has stated that his team’s initial selection is up for grabs, thus pick eight is something to keep an eye on ahead of the draft. The Cats might attempt to get more access to next year’s count through a trade, or they could use it to double their draft hand with numerous later first-round selections.
Enumerate Needs
crucial Position Talent: The Cats lost tall stopper Esava Ratugolea this off-season, which hurt their crucial defensive stocks. They will also have to prepare for life without champion spearhead Tom Hawkins and possibly even Jeremy Cameron in their attacking combo. The Cats will be interested in height at both ends of the field since their future ruck plans appear to be heavily dependent on rising tall Toby Conway, who may require additional competition or support in the future.
Inside Midfielder: The Cats were lacking a contested bull and hustle inside their engine room this year, with a prospect who can muscle his way through stoppages a likely desire for Geelong at this year’s draft. They do have emerging names in Tanner Bruhn, Max Holmes and 2022 Pick 8 selection Jhye Clark, but with senior onballers Cam Guthrie, Patrick Dangerfield and Mark Blicavs all past the 30-year barrier, there is needed consideration for what their midfield ensemble will look like in three or fours years time.
Top-Rated Prospects: It could simply be that the Cats consider moving for the best available player when they’re on the clock with their first and second-round picks, given their general need for youth. The small forward spot is perhaps the only area Geelong mightn’t need to focus on at the draft, with depth building across any other part of the field likely to hold their cause going forward.
Potential Targets
Connor O’Sullivan: The Murray Bushrangers defender is one of the leading key-position prospects for this year’s draft, with O’Sullivan a more-than-capable forward target if needed. The Albury junior would claim MVP honours for the Allies following their premiership-winning carnival this year, with his close-out speed and dominance in the air a real highlight. O’Sullivan could still be on the board when the Cats first enter the draft, while a similarly versatile tall teenager in Dan Curtin would be a dream recruit given his ability to play as a tall defender, key forward or inside onballer.
George Stevens: A name that might be familiar to some Cats fans, with Stevens appearing in two matches for Geelong’s VFL outfit this year. He would record a team-high 29 disposals in a loss to Collingwood’s reserves to flex his capacity to play against mature bodies. One of the best-contested ball winners among this year’s class, the GWV Rebels talent would be a formidable addition to Chris Scott’s midfield pack.
Nate Caddy: The nephew of former Geelong midfield-forward Josh Caddy, Nate is arguably the best key forward on offer to all 18 clubs with his elite aerial impact, kicking and upside among the many traits that make him an enticing prospect. Caddy could be the long-term partner for emerging forward Ollie Henry as Geelong looks to mirror the partnership of Hawkins and Cameron in attack. The Cats would also be hoping a name like Ryley Sanders is still on the board come their first pick as they look to swoop on the best talent available with Pick 8.
