Rumour GFC 2026 Player Trading, Drafting FA, Rumours and Wish lists Pt 1

[Jumping Jack]

If there's any likelihood of a player like Butters / King etc joining the Cats, then it will take some careful management of both cap and list space to maintain the competitive advantage we have.

Based purely on that, you'd expect that there's growing pressure on some of the recent draftees (excluding last years) to show some promising signs or risk being moved on at years end. And just as much (if not more) pressure on the likes of Knevitt / Wiltshire to justify the faith shown by the club in retaining them to most peoples surprise. I think there's also a close watch on a few contracted players who might also potentially find themselves being targeted by, or offered up to other clubs to allow the club to restructure it's TPP.

Dangerfield's decision might have a flow on effect with other players staying or going, as would Blicavs Stanley and Kolo. Wouldn't be surprised to see a few fringe best 22/23 players like Close and Henry be part of discussions towards the end of the year. The club seems to be prepared to play the long game and risk some "boom or bust" with Conway .....which I think is ok.

 

[Stab Pass]

With all due respect to Molier, he is absolutely a long-shot smokey and should be considered as such. Most kids drafted at his pick do not make it; it would be folly not to be chasing a long-term established, high-talent target.

King and Walter would cost a lot. In King's case he at least has a track record but Walter as a Pick 3 would have you paying up for potential, leaving aside the likelihood that he will head home to WA. So if we go after a "long-term established, high-talent target" then you are talking King and we'd literally have to sell the farm to get him. We were extremely lucky with Cameron that we got the draft capital to do the deal because Kelly wanted to go home and the Eagles paid overs. We will have limited draft capital so where will we get the best bang for our buck? I'd prefer an elite mid over another key forward. No point paying a fortune for a guy to stand around in the goal square if the ball isn't coming down often enough or when it does the delivery is rubbish.

 

[iameviljez]

So if we go after a "long-term established, high-talent target" then you are talking King and we'd literally have to sell the farm to get him.

I would.

Key forwards are absolute hen's teeth, they really are... and getting one who kicked 71 goals last year would be fantastic.

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

Why does it feel like they've run out of names after the first 3

Nick Vlastuin?
He's only 31 , has played some very good footy..............

 

[geelong_crazy26]

Maybe. Neither Barker nor Edwards will be ready and in their prime until after our window is closed whereas marshall was for the now.

What window?? We have been competing for about 23 years

 

[Goggin Our Best]

Not sounding nasty - but at senior level Knevitt hasnt played 1 qtr , or had a purple patch of 10 minutes where you think this bloke could be a good player for Geel , but he is just too slow for AFL football

In the old days he would be cleared midseason to one of the VFA clubs because that is his level

 

[jnrburger]

The talk of keeping windows open and prioritising a quality mid vs key forward prompted me to look at our list based on age those that are 28yo or younger - ie. how much of our best 23 for the next 4-5 years is already in place.

Forwards - missing the successor for Cameron. Arguably we have 1 surplus small.

Mids - better placed than 12 months ago, but still short the match winner - need a harder mental edge in there.

Ruck - currently operating a backstop arrangement with Blicavs hopefully moving to a supporting role to Edwards over the season. We'll need another mature ruck - just need a couple of solid years from someone (Marshall would have been perfect, but not sure we can swing at that again).

Defence is fine - small lock-down type would be nice to have, but not critical.

We'll need to say goodbye to at least 3 older players at the end of this season otherwise we will have a mass exodus end next two years and potentially no decent picks to fill it with. Stanley and Bews obvious. One more out of Danger, Martin, Kolo, Blicavs. A couple of other primary listed players will go on top, and the rookie list will get turned over - at least 2, potentially all 4.

 

[geelong_crazy26]

They are for a few reasons but hes a winner and he wants to win and Beveridge consistently underachieves at winning with a great list. I think it depends entirely on how the dogs go this year. If they go deep in finals he will go there. If they miss finals again he will likely come here as I doubt he wants to live in the city (which means us and the dogs are the two obvious options).

Does he want to live in the country?? Or doesn’t care?

 

[Kobe Gryant]

The talk of keeping windows open and prioritising a quality mid vs key forward prompted me to look at our list based on age those that are 28yo or younger - ie. how much of our best 23 for the next 4-5 years is already in place.

Forwards - missing the successor for Cameron. Arguably we have 1 surplus small.

Mids - better placed than 12 months ago, but still short the match winner - need a harder mental edge in there.

Ruck - currently operating a backstop arrangement with Blicavs hopefully moving to a supporting role to Edwards over the season. We'll need another mature ruck - just need a couple of solid years from someone (Marshall would have been perfect, but not sure we can swing at that again).

Defence is fine - small lock-down type would be nice to have, but not critical.

We'll need to say goodbye to at least 3 older players at the end of this season otherwise we will have a mass exodus end next two years and potentially no decent picks to fill it with. Stanley and Bews obvious. One more out of Danger, Martin, Kolo, Blicavs. A couple of other primary listed players will go on top, and the rookie list will get turned over - at least 2, potentially all 4.

We're pretty much in the same position as every other contender, in that our real "needs" are the luxury positions that take you from a good/great team, to the best team in the comp.

Another great key forward, and another great mid. If we can land King or Butters, that certainly helps our cause there.

If not, we'll just have to try our luck at the draft and hope there's someone available in the next couple of years.

With Tassie coming in, there's going to be a lot of wheeling and dealing as clubs try to set themselves for a window while the draft potentially keeps everyone else down.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Not sounding nasty - but at senior level Knevitt hasnt played 1 qtr , or had a purple patch of 10 minutes where you think this bloke could be a good player for Geel , but he is just too slow for AFL football

In the old days he would be cleared midseason to one of the VFA clubs because that is his level

I've seen slower 194cm defenders work out though

 

[Pure_Ownage]

People have been predicting the closing of our premiership window for the last 15 years.

True but for most of the last 15 years we have had either selwood Hawkins or dangerfield who are HOF ers. Realistically when PFD and Cameron and stewart go is when our window may well close which is why its strike while the iron is hot time (hard given the afl has given the qld clubs concessions).

 

[thegerman]

I think we will be much happier with barker in the long run than Marshall.

Yep I like Barker a lot. His draft video is pretty impressive

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Does he want to live in the country?? Or doesn’t care?

Everything indicates hes pretty close to his family in the marsh. I dont know whether that rumour of him buying property here last year was true or not but he doesnt really strike me as the big city type certainly not the way say a Grundy was.

 

[geelong_crazy26]

Everything indicates hes pretty close to his family in the marsh. I dont know whether that rumour of him buying property here last year was true or not but he doesnt really strike me as the big city type certainly not the way say a Grundy was.

The commute from bachus marsh to footscray in traffic is not a very pleasant one

 

[Willo_]

Nick Vlastuin?
He's only 31 , has played some very good footy..............

I'd be a fan of this.. Blokes a gun and brings back our Red Head quota

Also his sister lives in Leopold or that area so there is family in the vicinity if we want to fuel any rumours!

 

[Klink2]

I'd be a fan of this.. Blokes a gun and brings back our Red Head quota

Also his sister lives in Leopold or that area so there is family in the vicinity if we want to fuel any rumours!

Yeah, and Nick himself lives in Torquay and has been commuting up the highway for some time.

 

[calder_daddy]

Nick Vlastuin?
He's only 31 , has played some very good footy..............

Underrated.
Can play on the small we struggle to defend

 

[iameviljez]

The commute from bachus marsh to footscray in traffic is not a very pleasant one

I can't see any footballer living in Bacchus, they'll live in trendy Yarraville and drive out to the family every so often.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Underrated.
Can play on the small we struggle to defend

Do you think he's still upset about someone setting fire to his house in 2020 or nah?

 

[geelong_crazy26]

I can't see any footballer living in Bacchus, they'll live in trendy Yarraville and drive out to the family every so often.

Dangerfield in moggs creek says hi.

 

[iameviljez]

Dangerfield in moggs creek says hi.

Erm....

Moggs Creek:


Bacchus Marsh:


Think it speaks for itself

 

[Kaatman]

Regarding the Stewart to Tassie talk agree he has every right to explore it if he wants to and wouldn't begrudge him at all.

And don't Tassie have to trade 5.7.9 and 11?

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Regarding the Stewart to Tassie talk agree he has every right to explore it if he wants to and wouldn't begrudge him at all.

And don't Tassie have to trade 5.7.9 and 11?

Stewy will be an unrestricted free agent

 

[cats_09]

Regarding the Stewart to Tassie talk agree he has every right to explore it if he wants to and wouldn't begrudge him at all.

And don't Tassie have to trade 5.7.9 and 11?

As revealed by AFL.com.au in May, the Devils will be handed picks No.1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13, and the first selection of each subsequent round in their first draft, which is set to be in 2027.

Four of those picks – No.5, 7, 11 and 13 – come with the caveat they need to be used in trades.

In their second and third drafts, the Devils will be handed fixed picks No.5 and 9 in both years, which are on top of the club's regular first-round selection, as well as the first selection in each subsequent round in addition to their natural draft hand. In both of those years, the pick No.5s will have the caveat they must be traded.

But the AFL has given the Devils multiple years to be able to trade the picks, meaning if they cannot find deals in the respective years of those picks, they can 'roll and trade' them within the next two national drafts.

Tasmania will have two years to attract up to 18 uncontracted players as 'free agents' from rival clubs, with a maximum of one player per club.

Clubs that lose uncontracted players to Tasmania via this concession will be given compensation picks in return, in a new model that will see clubs given one or more 'floating' picks where the club can choose which draft year they fall in.

Stewart will turn 35 during the early stages of the 2028 season, and he'll be an UFA following the 2027 season - IF he opts to move to Tassie (big IF), it likely won't require a trade if they target him as the uncontracted player

But regardless if it's via FA or they opt to trade him, doubt we'd get more than a 3rd or 4th round pick in return

 

[iameviljez]

Part of the reason we couldnt get Marshall done. St Kilda had soaked up all his contract by front loading massively and wanted to be rewarded for absorbing it.

While I agree with you in the main part, I don't think it's so much a "wanted to be rewarded" as much as just looking at their options and deciding that hey, for a tiny salary cap hit, we can have two good AFL-standard ruckmen and keep a potential competitor from even having one.