WITH the 2021 trade period done and dusted, it is now time for clubs and fans alike to turn their attention to the draft. Between now and draft day (November 24/25), clubs have had the opportunity to exchange picks with the final order formed just over a week out. While the chaos settles, Rookie Me Central takes a look at how each club may approach the upcoming intake with the hand they formed at the close of trade period.

Next under the microscope is Geelong, a side with the draft stock to make a quick and much-needed regeneration with this year’s intake.

CURRENT PICKS: 22, 30, 32, 34, 50, 91

2022 PICKS: GEE Round 1, GEE Round 2, GEE Round 3, CAR Round 3, HAW Round 4

ACADEMY/FATHER-SON COMBINE INVITEES:

Nil.

LIST NEEDS:

+ Key position depth
+ Midfield regeneration
+ Pressure forwards

FIRST PICK OPTIONS:
(Pick 22)

The Cats are well poised to come in on night two and grab a slider early in the second round, later dominating said range with three more selections between 30 and 34. Geelong’s first pick, currently 22, will be pushed back a couple of picks after early father-son bids, but remains a valuable commodity.

While he narrowly misses out on father-son eligibility for Geelong, Tom Brown could end up at Cats in the open draft. The versatile half-back has scope to play on each line and offers the speedy outside run Geelong may be after. Likewise, Campbell Chesser should be right in the Cats’ range but may already be snapped up if he lasts past night one.

Geelong is impartial to a local selection and if Falcons inside midfielder Mitchell Knevitt survives some first round interest, he may be the Cats’ man. His range and athleticism as a big-bodied ball winner will appeal to many clubs in round two, so Geelong may want to get in early and begin its midfield regeneration.

Should a pressure forward be in the frame, Sam Butler is another prospect set to be highly sought after at the end of round one and could get through to Geelong’s pick. The brother of St Kilda’s Dan has the same kind of pace and is terrific around goal, with the tackling hunger the Cats could do with going forward.

REMAINING CROP:

Geelong is in a great position to be flexible with its remaining draft hand, which could also be packaged along with a strong 2022 hand to move into round one. Should the picks remain as they are, the Cats have a raft of options available to them and can look to hit many bases.

Depending on what they do with pick 22, the world is Geelong’s oyster. With picks so close together, the Cats can essentially bring in consecutive players they want without too much worry of missing out on who they rate highly. Every other club will likely already have picked by that stage, meaning they can sit back and wait for the bargains to come their way.

In terms of needs, local boy Toby Conway is the premier ruck option available and looms as a different one to many the Cats have been crying out to come on recently. He’s solidly built at 205cm and is improving his craft around the ground, but is terrific in terms of his craft at the contest.

If Butler is not on the board at Geelong’s first pick, Jesse Motlop could be the small forward the Cats are after. Zac Taylor is a midfielder-forward who will likely start in attack, but has the crafty nature and skills going forward that many clubs will be after in that range.

In terms of needs, the Cats could also be in for some depth in the marking forward department, and 190cm athlete Blake Howes will likely come into consideration. He may also be the wingman Geelong can develop over time, with his upside high despite consistency to iron out.

Back on the inside of midfield, and Geelong has also been linked to West Australian Angus Sheldrick. The hard working Claremont product played himself into draft contention this season with a much improved and consistent campaign, putting him in top 30 contention. The Cats would be happy to get him just past that range.

KEY QUESTIONS:

> Will Geelong look to trade into the first round?
> How many local prospects will Geelong target?
> What area of the field will Geelong look to bolster first?