GEELONG made a high of six selections at the 2023 National AFL Draft, accounting for both the future and the now with a diverse haul of players in type and age range. If you expected the unexpected from the Cats, this year’s result was on point. We recap Geelong’s latest draft effort.

>> UPDATED: Every Pick in the 2023 AFL Draft

NATIONAL DRAFT:

11. Connor O’Sullivan
32. Mitch Edwards
36. Shaun Mannagh
58. George Stevens
61. Oliver Wiltshire
63. Lawson Humphries

ROOKIE DRAFT:

7. Emerson Jeka

>> ANALYSIS: Big winners, bolters & sliders

Adelaide’s trade to land Dan Curtin sent a spanner in the works on night one, though it meant things worked out perfectly for Geelong. Determined to get in for Nate Caddy before Geelong, Essendon swapped picks with the Cats while also sending pick 31 their way.

Essentially, it meant Geelong turned pick eight – which slid down to pick 10 – into Connor O’Sullivan and Mitch Edwards. On top of securing a top-end talent as would have been the plan heading into night one, Geelong also bolstered its long-term ruck stocks before getting to work on potential late bargains.

O’Sullivan offers a range of elite traits at 198cm. He produced a remarkable season which yielded Allies MVP honours and All Australian selection as a key defender, though the Cats will be buoyed by his ability to play in every area of the ground. As a tall, his composure, mobility and endurance also appeal.

West Australian ruck, Edwards, is another key position player with raw potential. The 206cm prospect is a competitive beast in his primary post and hates being beaten. He burst onto the scene last year, becoming Western Australia’s number one ruck as a bottom-ager and holding the mantle in 2023.

Just four picks after calling out Edwards, Geelong made the first mature-age pick of the draft in Shaun Mannagh. The 26-year-old midfielder-forward made waves with his best afield VFL Grand Final performance this year, booting six goals from 28 disposals in a losing effort.

The Werribee product has had to bide his time in the state league and has long been one of its premier players, but well and truly strung together an undeniable season this year. He looms as a readymade option for the Cats, who are know for finding diamonds in the rough.

Speaking of, Geelong plucked players out of local footy and the WAFL Reserves late in the piece. Namely, Barwon Heads boy Oliver Wiltshire and Swan Districts midfielder Lawson Humphries earned their shots having both been overlooked for the draft multiple times.

Wiltshire, 21, is a former Geelong Falcon who played seven games for the region in 2021. The tall and dynamic forward booted 48 goals at an average of three per game this season, including a bag of 12 against Modewarre and three hauls of five.

Meanwhile, Humphries lands on an AFL list at 20-years-old after coming through the ranks as a West Coast Next Generation Academy member. He helped Swan Districts take out the WAFL Reserves flag this year and played nine League games as a classy, dual-footed ball user through midfield.

The coups of Wiltshire (pick 61) and Humphries (63) rounded out Geelong’s crop, coming after somewhat of a steal. Geelong picked up one of the sliders of the draft in George Stevens all the way down at 58 after the big-bodied midfielder produced an outstanding top-age season.

Stevens, of the Greater Western Victoria region, made his return from an ACL tear in 2023 and captained the AFL Academy. He was one of Vic Country’s most consistent performers throughout the National Championships and had a hot run of form for the Rebels upon transitioning from defender to midfielder.

While lacking the athletic attributes and flair which are often sought after in modern day AFL athletes, Stevens offers a terrific contested acumen and consistency in either position. He distributes the ball cleanly by hand and foot, and above all, is a terrific character with strong leadership qualities.

Having managed somewhat of a steal and made their intentions known with a trio of mature-age picks, Geelong also rookie listed former Hawk Emerson Jeka. The versatile tall looms as somewhat of a replacement for Esava Ratugolea, who was traded to Port Adelaide at season’s end.