Rumour GFC 2025 Player Trading, Drafting FA, Rumours and Wish lists Pt 2

[DanA]

Best way to think of him now is as if he is a cat B rookie from another country that needs to be built up from scratch




The player valuation fluctuates very quickly and can't be generalised, it is more governed by the resources avaible to the clubs and their relative bargening positions than any concept of fair value.

I disagree. I feel pretty confident that if he is traded, he goes for somewhere between our 1st and a 1st + 2nd.i guess we’ll see.

 

[Footy Smarts]

Jed Bews is off to Freo on a 2 year deal in 2026.

How many farewell games are they offering him?

 

[foxdog50]

90% his Mrs is happy... as she's from WA.

But don't they own a Cafe they just started up this year

 

[Geminicatz01]

But don't they own a Cafe they just started up this year

That's what I thought.. they just opened.

 

[cats_09]

What's the cafe called?

 

[fpm84]

What's the cafe called?

Betty’s: https://www.geelongadvertiser.com.a...ws-story/d85a86684eb645a38ef37d584942ff8a?amp

 

[Pure_Ownage]

How many farewell games are they offering him?

As many as they are offering long Muir.

 

[Turbocat]

Jed Bews is off to Freo on a 2 year deal in 2026.

similar to dad ..to finish his career. Good luck to him

 

[Lana]

similar to dad ..to finish his career. Good luck to him

I refuse to let him go

 

[Turbocat]

I wouldn't be including a second round pick in any capacity for Marshall

I get that we'll likely need to use our first in a trade for Marshall, but if say Merrett was interested in a move down the highway then I'd ensure that first round pick is headed to Essendon instead

In terms of any additional picks, I'd look more at a future 3rd with either a 2025 3rd or 4th coming back - we've got 2 x NGA players in this years draft with Mellor a potential to have a bid placed on him, so I'd be happy to try saving our 2nd & 3rd round picks for this years draft for that type of situation

Is that an option?

I cant see how Ess would trade him. Contracted and they do not have to let him go

 

[Lana]

Is that an option?

I cant see how Ess would trade him. Contracted and they do not have to let him go

It would take a stupid offer

 

[thegerman]

It would take a stupid offer

That we simply won’t make

 

[cats_09]

Is that an option?

I cant see how Ess would trade him. Contracted and they do not have to let him go

No idea

But it's the second year in a row that there's been whispers of other teams being interested in Merrett - not sure we've ever been mentioned though

 

[Turbocat]

No idea

But it's the second year in a row that there's been whispers of other teams being interested in Merrett - not sure we've ever been mentioned though

I feel for some players but I also have to say they tend to cause some issues themselves. yess Merrit has been a name for multiple years… and in that time extended his contract. I cant see a deal that would allow him to escape

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I refuse to let him go

It's time.

 

[Turbocat]

Giving up this years 1st rounder for a 30yo ruckman?? Yeah nah.
Nah that handcuff's us going forward when we have bigger and better fish to fry in '26 and '27.
Been told we are happy to talk but handcuff's wont be part of it.
In saying that i'm hearing the club are more than happy with the 3 ruckman we have on our list (Chilli, Mitch and Molier) and how they are all tracking.
The club is in a precarious position
Danger Stewart Jezza are in the last quality years of their careers. More so Stewart & Danger.
Do you go all in and give up good draft capital on a year, maybe 2?
Or you play it smart and back in your drafting, list management and internal coaching to get the same result?
Interesting month ahead.

I think we saw tonight why we might over pay for a seasoned pnp ruck . One must not let a probable weak chink on the list deprive us of not maximising cameron, Danger etc. when they still such a high level in them

It make sense to do what ever we have to do to add to an area of weakness.

Our list has got most roles covered or it has a good representation but the role on the follower is a weakness. It was only the swiss army knife that has allowed us to get away with it. and must remember that he is 35. That and an opponent whos ruck was not AA level. Fort reall was B grade.

There is probably no other use for a R1 that would be more influential in the short term ..unless there is another BSmith type trade out there.

Do I dislike it using a R1 on a 30 year old. Yep. Does it make sense. Yep … unless we just go out and attack Draper or someone like that as a FA or trade in a young unproven type like Heath etc. then there is a logic to it.

IF Conways future is in doubt then we just have to add someone , keep pushing development into Edwards etc and maybe we look at adding another tall Rookie B type (usa) and hope for a lucky outcome

 

[CatsDoItBetter]

Agreed but it has happened before. probably not that much different to Gawn atpit but as you say , he has reached a tipping point

The harsh reality is most big kids are drafted too young as we have no choice ..but no doubt I would have preferred him to have played the year in the VFL. Missing games not ideal.

I still probably prefer the look of Edwards as being more our type ..and the Stanley injury probably has ensures we pay a price and get a ruck… which will potential affect if he plays.

But Gawn is the only really example of it happening that way and he’s a generational player. Who not only went through injury issues but he changed his mindset and preparation to get himself ready for AFL footy.

Yes rucks often take time but people speak about the path that Gawn took as though it’s common. Most of the other good rucks either did perform well early or at least played consistent footy at a level then took bigger steps to further their development.

We all hope he’s another miracle story but that seems more unlikely. Dawson Simpson is the more likely scenario.

 

[CatsDoItBetter]

It’d be ideal if Marshall was a couple of years younger but he’s the best option available we can target.

How about we offer the saints our first round pick plus we let anyone from the club including players come down once a week to look at our premiership cups?

It’d be nice for them to see them, get a sense of what success looks like and it’s as close as they’ll be getting to one.

 

[Turbocat]

But Gawn is the only really example of it happening that way and he’s a generational player. Who not only went through injury issues but he changed his mindset and preparation to get himself ready for AFL footy.

Yes rucks often take time but people speak about the path that Gawn took as though it’s common. Most of the other good rucks either did perform well early or at least played consistent footy at a level then took bigger steps to further their development.

We all hope he’s another miracle story but that seems more unlikely. Dawson Simpson is the more likely scenario.

The Gawn reference and the Simpsons reference and other too are probably just examples of confirmation bias depoending on the point one wants to make.

Probably more than any role… drafting a ruck absorbs so much time and sometimes, if you are unlucky it come to naught. We could add another two rucks to what we have at the moment at it would only mean we are heavy in talls and we might lose someone at some stage. and that we may struggle to play them all … an maybe it cost us one more mobile spot. Discounting Conways spot till he shows he is a real option again that can play 5-10 games ina row.

What ever will be will be with Conway. We have had no luck with him and it does seem like eh may be another Simpson but till he is at another club , like Simpson, I will hope he can find himself in body that becomes resolute. Bar a trade, he is at Geelong for another 12 months. This time next year we will a firmer grasp on the decision.

 

[Turbocat]

It’d be ideal if Marshall was a couple of years younger but he’s the best option available we can target.

How about we offer the saints our first round pick plus we let anyone from the club including players come down once a week to look at our premiership cups?

It’d be nice for them to see them, get a sense of what success looks like and it’s as close as they’ll be getting to one.

How about we trade them our R1 pick for the 30 year old Marshall and the Father Son rights to Reiwoldt … then in a couple of years , his kid is a Father Son player fro us...

 

[thegerman]

I think we saw tonight why we might over pay for a seasoned pnp ruck . One must not let a probable weak chink on the list deprive us of not maximising cameron, Danger etc. when they still such a high level in them

It make sense to do what ever we have to do to add a to plus a weakness.

Our list has got most roles covered or it has a good representation but the role on the follower is a weakness. It was only the swiss army knife that has allowed us to get away with it. and must remember that he is 35. That and an opponent whos ruck was not AA level. Fort reall was B grade.

There is probably no other use for a R1 that would be more influential in the short term ..unless there is another BSmith type trade out there.

Do I dislike it using a R1 on a 30 year old. Yep. Does it make sense. Yep … unless we just go out and attack Draper or someone like that as a FA or trade in a young unproven type like Heath etc. then there is a logic to it.

IF Conways future is in doubt then we just have to add someone , keep pushing development into Edwards etc and maybe we look at adding another tall Rookie B type (usa) and hope for a lucky outcome

I’d say Conway would be highly unlikely to play again. I’d be surprised, but a big guy with a navicular injury, the surgery needed is quite invasive.

I had a chopart fracture, which is the navicular and calcaneus fractures. To fix it, I’ve had to have the heel cut, moved 1cm sideways and then screwed in place (osteotomy).

Whilst he may not have to go to that length, I had a smaller procedure to lock down the navicular however that ended in utter failure and I was back on the surgeon’s table 6 months later.

These injuries are highly problematic to overcome surgically, where even with some of the best surgeons, I just can’t see how he becomes able to play again.

Happy to be wrong, however I just can’t see it.

 

[Gee Class Loco]

But don't they own a Cafe they just started up this year

Yes indeed.
He has a finger in a few cafe's.
Loves his coffee. It's his passion.
Perth needs a good coffee joint!! lol.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I think we saw tonight why we might over pay for a seasoned pnp ruck . One must not let a probable weak chink on the list deprive us of not maximising cameron, Danger etc. when they still such a high level in them

It make sense to do what ever we have to do to add a to plus a weakness.

Our list has got most roles covered or it has a good representation but the role on the follower is a weakness. It was only the swiss army knife that has allowed us to get away with it. and must remember that he is 35. That and an opponent whos ruck was not AA level. Fort reall was B grade.

There is probably no other use for a R1 that would be more influential in the short term ..unless there is another BSmith type trade out there.

Do I dislike it using a R1 on a 30 year old. Yep. Does it make sense. Yep … unless we just go out and attack Draper or someone like that as a FA or trade in a young unproven type like Heath etc. then there is a logic to it.

IF Conways future is in doubt then we just have to add someone , keep pushing development into Edwards etc and maybe we look at adding another tall Rookie B type (usa) and hope for a lucky outcome

Unless we can moneyball another mature ruck in the trade period i think we have to go for Marshall now with the injuries we have and blicavs age.
I think it will be 18 and 36 (those picks will drift out to 20s and 40s) for Marshall and some pick in the 50s/60s. Use that late pick on a drafted kid, match mellor with whatever points we can cobble together, elevate mullin and ND done. I dont like it but while we are in the window its necessary.

 

[Turbocat]

Unless we can moneyball another mature ruck in the trade period i think we have to go for Marshall now with the injuries we have and blicavs age.
I think it will be 18 and 36 (those picks will drift out to 20s and 40s) for Marshall and some pick in the 50s/60s. Use that late pick on a drafted kid, match mellor with whatever points we can cobble together, elevate mullin and ND done. I dont like it but while we are in the window its necessary.

Im much the same.

We have been lucky sometimes..and this year ..at first look we have been unlucky with a couple of players availability.. and maybe we see those two end up costing us some decnt picks and producing not much. Bad luck

Plenty of other clubs would love to have the bad luck we have endured. Kolo being out for the year has enable COS to play..probably means we need how that plays out but id not be dropping COS now

The truth is we could add no one but a couple of rucks to list and still be fine next year… and we know we will add a small goal kicking forward.

Id normally not do it for Marshall but a few reasons makes it the right thing to get it done..as long as Stk do not get all crzytown. The 30 year old thing is a concern. We could get to this spot in 12 months and we are talking injury again.

...

Moyle not selected. Its unlikely but id certainly touch base with Moyle and go hard with a big offer just to see if he is unequivocally unavailable.

We have Edwards, Mollier and Pike. I think thats probably one too many young and developing rucks. Would a seasoned body delisted ruck be a better option as a rookie? We have been linkled as one of the clubs lookig at the USA boys but ..again… Blitz is a rare beast. How likely is it you get a USA guy that is a legit selection option.

 

[Oisin_the_Goat]

Looks like Worpel might be a pretty good get. Dominating clearances against GWS.