Rumour GFC 2025 Player Trading, Drafting FA, Rumours and Wish lists Pt 3

[cats_09]

2025 AFL Draft and Trade Dates:​

Fri Oct 3 - Fri Oct 10: 2025 Free Agency Period
Mon Oct 6 - Wed Oct 15: 2025 Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period
Wed Nov 19 - Thu Nov 20: 2025 Telstra AFL Draft

 

[Mr Meow]

You’d assume that the club will announce a few further list changes very soon. Duncan is out but Worpel in for his spot.

Only Retschko and Ivisic off the rookie list at this stage. More changes are needed.

Wiltshire almost certainly appears he will be delisted. Stevens will either be re-signed on a one year deal or delisted and re-rookied. C.Guthrie has to go. Bews, Matofai-Forbes and Hoffman perhaps vulnerable.

I’d assume in a weak draft we’d only use 2 or 3 picks at the most. Appears that Mellor will be one pick. I’d be taking Holmes - looks like a late developer similar to his brother.

With our first pick Oskar Taylor looks a decent option as a running defender to replace Bews.

We kind of need our Stewart, Duncan and Bews replacements to come along soon.

Fingers crossed Humphries takes some big steps to complete his takeover from Tuohy.

O'Connor is good at locking down medium mid-forwards but we need some who can shut down genuine smalls. Zuthrie is more like Stewart as a general rebounder rather than a 1v1 specialist.

I know And_ROOS never wants him in defensive 50, but Mullin did shut Watson down well and over time his defensive craft should keep improving. The tagging experience has taught him how to stick close. He's quick and powerful. Can he be our Bews next year, with Bruhn and Worpel taking the midfield rotations?

 

[iameviljez]

We kind of need our Stewart, Duncan and Bews replacements to come along soon.

Fingers crossed Humphries takes some big steps to complete his takeover from Tuohy.

I wouldn't worry too hard about it - smaller defenders, with all due respect, aren't that hard to find.

 

[jaykay72]

There are so many list experts around here, but really only one who counts (the ever-sledging #4 triple premiership back pocket!) Looking at past years, they appear to tread very slowly/calmly/gradually when it comes to 'developing/evolving' the list. Of course, there are plenty of factors to consider: age demographics; position depth; potential; running vs kicking abilities, etc. Above all, when you're constantly looking to place yourselves in contention, and you regularly rotate the actual team throughout the year, you just don't gut your list.

If we haven't heard any retirement announcements from Bews, C.Guthrie & the like, the chances are they'll be re-contracted for another year on very little money. Whilst I was personally surprised by the lack of noise for any other clubs coming for our depth players, the Cats can also use that to their own advantage if they wish to retain them (ie on minimal terms as well). I suspect our reluctance to 'go again' on Charlie was there are bigger fish to fry next year. I always recall the murmurings about Dangerfield, Cameron, Smith, etc at the start of the previous season. Fingers crossed that pattern might repeat itself with Butters. That said, just like Collingwood, we're still very much in danger of a cliff coming very quickly, unless we carefully manage retirements along the way...

 

[Pure_Ownage]

You’d assume that the club will announce a few further list changes very soon. Duncan is out but Worpel in for his spot.

Only Retschko and Ivisic off the rookie list at this stage. More changes are needed.

Wiltshire almost certainly appears he will be delisted. Stevens will either be re-signed on a one year deal or delisted and re-rookied. C.Guthrie has to go. Bews, Matofai-Forbes and Hoffman perhaps vulnerable.

I’d assume in a weak draft we’d only use 2 or 3 picks at the most. Appears that Mellor will be one pick. I’d be taking Holmes - looks like a late developer similar to his brother.

With our first pick Oskar Taylor looks a decent option as a running defender to replace Bews.

Agree with all of this. Clohesy has to be elevated ot delisted too so probably goes.
I think Taylor goes before 19 but someone like barker might get there with the injury. Id be bidding on Carmichael and a few other academy guys. Id actually try to trade 19 into next year but I doubt we will get decent offers for it. Id be looking to pick up a mature tall late or as a rookie.

 

[Mr Meow]

I wouldn't worry too hard about it - smaller defenders, with all due respect, aren't that hard to find.

I wouldn't say "worried" fits my mood, any more than if I am listing the ingredients I need to buy to make dinner tomorrow.

If you want to make the best meal though then you use the best ingredients. Our current defensive mix is decent but I wouldn't call it elite. Our small forward lockdown profile, and rebounding potential are both more B rather than A grade right now. So for the future I'd be looking at those areas and not just the midfield.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

There are so many list experts around here, but really only one who counts (the ever-sledging #4 triple premiership back pocket!) Looking at past years, they appear to tread very slowly/calmly/gradually when it comes to 'developing/evolving' the list. Of course, there are plenty of factors to consider: age demographics; position depth; potential; running vs kicking abilities, etc. Above all, when you're constantly looking to place yourselves in contention, and you regularly rotate the actual team throughout the year, you just don't gut your list.

If we haven't heard any retirement announcements from Bews, C.Guthrie & the like, the chances are they'll be re-contracted for another year on very little money. Whilst I was personally surprised by the lack of noise for any other clubs coming for our depth players, the Cats can also use that to their own advantage if they wish to retain them (ie on minimal terms as well). I suspect our reluctance to 'go again' on Charlie was there are bigger fish to fry next year. I always recall the murmurings about Dangerfield, Cameron, Smith, etc at the start of the previous season. Fingers crossed that pattern might repeat itself with Butters. That said, just like Collingwood, we're still very much in danger of a cliff coming very quickly, unless we carefully manage retirements along the way...

Nah those guys will be announced late post trade week like Collingwood did yesterday and like we did with rohan last year and other guys previously. They wont be here next year.

 

[TheWoodenSlug]

He'll add some girth to the team for sure, and he'll give us a deep threat that should stiffen us up.

I just worry about him in cold weather. He can put in some real flaccid performances that leave a bit to be desired.

Alright, I'm done.

Already?

 

[TheWoodenSlug]

Surprised to see so many writing Stevens off. For those that were able to watch, how was his VFL form in the back half of the season?

 

[iameviljez]

If we haven't heard any retirement announcements from Bews, C.Guthrie & the like, the chances are they'll be re-contracted for another year on very little money.

I disagree - apart from the fact that re-signings of veterans are usually sealed by now, there is just maths to account for.

We currently have four realistically "useable" draft picks (up till p78), and four players on the regular list without a contract (Guthrie, Stevens, Bews, Wiltshire), given that Duncan is out and Worpel is in.

The only way that even one of those four gets to stay is if:

• We only take three draft picks this year, AND
• We don't upgrade Ted Clohesy.

I strongly suspect that the team will roll the dice on one of Stevens or Clohesy if one of those players is kept.

 

[foxdog50]

Surprised to see so many writing Stevens off. For those that were able to watch, how was his VFL form in the back half of the season?

I like Stevens. I think his got a future , but I don't know if its at Geelong. As I can't see the Coaches giving he much or many games

 

[Footy Smarts]

Surprised to see so many writing Stevens off. For those that were able to watch, how was his VFL form in the back half of the season?

He was excellent. His clean hands, smarts around the contest and disposal really stood out. He's the one out of contract guy who I think would be really stiff to be let go.

 

[Two Planks]

Would rather make the minimum list changes this year and have more picks in next year's draft. Would prefer to keep Stevens and Closehy at least another year, but they may have more lucrative offers elsewhere

 

[Pollywaffle]

He'll add some girth to the team for sure, and he'll give us a deep threat that should stiffen us up.

I just worry about him in cold weather. He can put in some real flaccid performances that leave a bit to be desired.

Alright, I'm done.

My main issue with him is performance anxiety..

 

[Mr Meow]

My main issue with him is performance anxiety..

Not an issue as he's from Viagra Falls.

 

[TheWoodenSlug]

I like Stevens. I think his got a future , but I don't know if its at Geelong. As I can't see the Coaches giving he much or many games

Yeah, bringing in Worpel probably pushes Stevens back a bit in the queue. Though I recall Scott praising Stevens' kicking as elite, which gives him a point of difference among our midfielders.

Seems it all comes down to his lack of pace and whether that can be overcome in modern footy.

 

[TheWoodenSlug]

He was excellent. His clean hands, smarts around the contest and disposal really stood out. He's the one out of contract guy who I think would be really stiff to be let go.

Thanks. Now I'm even more surprised!

Obviously was playing well enough early in the year to earn a spot in the seniors. Brownlow vote in his first game then a poor second game (not alone there - GWS have had our measure for a while). Dropped back to the VFL and was apparently excellent.

Would definitely be stiff to be delisted based on that form line.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

You’d assume that the club will announce a few further list changes very soon. Duncan is out but Worpel in for his spot.

Only Retschko and Ivisic off the rookie list at this stage. More changes are needed.

Wiltshire almost certainly appears he will be delisted. Stevens will either be re-signed on a one year deal or delisted and re-rookied. C.Guthrie has to go. Bews, Matofai-Forbes and Hoffman perhaps vulnerable.

I’d assume in a weak draft we’d only use 2 or 3 picks at the most. Appears that Mellor will be one pick. I’d be taking Holmes - looks like a late developer similar to his brother.

With our first pick Oskar Taylor looks a decent option as a running defender to replace Bews.

Pretty sure KMF anf Hofmann are still contracted for next year off their draftee contracts

I reckon we make a first pick and then it's Mellor. Ted to main list for me makes 3 but others will disagree.

Think we'd be on standy to move up if someone sees an early bid

 

[Gee Class Loco]

I very much doubt that Scott will pick up a Ruck from the people who are available now. It's just not him.

I agree. Not a Scott move.
But i think it would be a Buckley move.

 

[iameviljez]

I don't understand why we kept Rhys. Unfortunately we are not winning finals relying on Rhys.

... because if I'm picking out of Stanley, Brayden Crossley, Mason Cox and some other VFL ruck, I'm picking Stanley. Still.

 

[D BRIDGE]

Yeah, bringing in Worpel probably pushes Stevens back a bit in the queue. Though I recall Scott praising Stevens' kicking as elite, which gives him a point of difference among our midfielders.

Seems it all comes down to his lack of pace and whether that can be overcome in modern footy.

Take what Scott says about players with a grain of salt.

He talks them all up.

 

[year of the cat]

Pretty sure KMF anf Hofmann are still contracted for next year off their draftee contracts

I reckon we make a first pick and then it's Mellor. Ted to main list for me makes 3 but others will disagree.

Think we'd be on standy to move up if someone sees an early bid

Wasn’t sure on their status. In any case, with Stewart and Kolo nearing the end, the club will be hoping at least one of the two is able to be a replacement in due course.

 

[TheWoodenSlug]

Take what Scott says about players with a grain of salt.

He talks them all up.

Yeah, that's true. Though generally it is more vague praise i.e. we really like what he has to offer; we see him as a long-term player for us; we're excited by what we've seen etc. That stuff I absolutely take with a grain of salt.

He was very specific in praising Stevens' kicking though, which gives it a little more weight imo.

 

[GlenMiddlemissed]

Thanks. Now I'm even more surprised!

Obviously was playing well enough early in the year to earn a spot in the seniors. Brownlow vote in his first game then a poor second game (not alone there - GWS have had our measure for a while). Dropped back to the VFL and was apparently excellent.

Would definitely be stiff to be delisted based on that form line.

If it came down to a choice between Ted and George, it should be to keep George. Ted looks like a top VFL player who hasn’t quite got enough, except fierce desire, to make the jump to AFL. George has a point of difference (his strength and ability to extract in a pack and dispose of accurately) such that, if he can improve his running a little, might be enough, and certainly enough to persevere with for another year.

During draft week, there were reports that other clubs were looking at Ted. Nothing more was said and obviously he didn’t get an offer.

George was awarded a Brownlow vote in his first game, something that would seem to be a rare achievement.

 

[GlenMiddlemissed]

Yeah, that's true. Though generally it is more vague praise i.e. we really like what he has to offer; we see him as a long-term player for us; we're excited by what we've seen etc. That stuff I absolutely take with a grain of salt.

He was very specific in praising Stevens' kicking though, which gives it a little more weight imo.

It’s actually his handballing that is better than his kicking. Some of his handballs reminded me of Greg Williams, and he was also quite slow, but the modern game favours athletes over footballers. It would be nice if Max could kick like George, and if George could run at 90% of Max’s top speed!

 

[Amos Frank]

What's the latest with Toby Conway? He looked very impressive in 2024 but just couldn't get his body right this season, seems like the ruck spot is his for the taking if he's fit