GEELONG enters the 2024 AFL Draft with the lowest points total of any club having completed one of the year’s biggest trade coups in Bailey Smith. With four selections beyond the second round, it means the Cats are primed to unearth yet another diamond in the rough on night two.

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2024 RECORD: 3rd, 15-8, 112.2% | Eliminated: Preliminary Final
2024 PICKS: 45, 57, 74, 84
FUTURE PICKS: GEE R1, GEE R2, GEE R3, GEE R4
ACADEMY/FATHER-SON NOMINEES: Nil. 

POTENTIAL TARGETS:

Barring a live trade to make use of the Cats’ full array of future picks, night two is when they’ll first be on the board. The opportunity to take advantage of the depth of this year’s draft is there for Geelong, and recruiting manager Stephen Wells is famous for extracting high value from late selections.

Key forward depth will likely be on the agenda at some stage, particularly after Tom Hawkins‘ retirement and given Jeremy Cameron will be 32 next year. There could be a scenario where genuine sliders become available at pick 45, though running power and medium utilities may be more freely available.

With that in mind, perhaps a local choice in Lachie Jaques or Xavier Ivisic could be a good fit. Jaques captained the Geelong Falcons this year and is a daring half-back who intercepts bravely. Ivisic is an inside-outside midfielder whose smart and hard running sets him apart on the way forward.

Alternatively, mature-agers may also fit Geelong’s push to remain a contender. Sam Davidson could be available as a 190cm athlete who offers height and flair up forward. At the other end, fellow VFL star Riley Bice takes the game on with his run and kicking out of defence. Both can also play up on the wing.

Arching back to local talent, and Falcons key forward Daniel Lowther remains a smokey. Teammate and ruck Joe Pike is also under the Cats’ noses having played in their VFL program as an over-ager, while the raw and athletic Ajang Kuol mun stands a chance with his long-term potential in the same role.

A tall forward pegged for the 25-40 range like Charlie Nicholls, Kayle Gerreyn, Thomas Sims, or James Barrat would be hard to deny with Geelong’s first pick. Though, similarly, the likes of Charlie West, Gabriel Stumpf, and Floyd Burmeister will likely be available in the Cats’ hitting zone.

Geelong could well move up the order depending on whether it rates any of those particular players highly enough, or if other clubs hint interest. Otherwise, three or four selections are set to accompany Smith, delisted free agent Jack Martin, and Irish Cat B Rookie Cillian Burke as fresh faces at the Cattery.

KEY QUESTIONS:

– Can Geelong find another diamond in the rough?
– Will Geelong target any mature-age talent?
– Can Geelong improve its position with a live trade?
– Are any local selections on the cards?