Senior 22. Hunter Holmes (2025 - )

[dazbroncos]

With Pick 33 in the 2025 National Draft Geelong has selected

Hunter Holmes

Welcome to the Cats


GO Catters

 

[cats_09]

 

[noobermensch]

 

[STPer18]

 

[Commando]

Double Trouble!

 

[Kobe Gryant]

Needs a lot of work, but I personally love it. Vintage Geelong archetype in need of a long VFL apprenticeship, but the raw ingredients are there.

Similar to the Barker pick, there's not a lot players in this draft with A-grade potential. Even some of the earlier guys look like 'nice players' at best.

When you're picking where we are in that situation, you might as well select the guys who have the traits to go far beyond that if it all clicks, even if the trade-off is they might amount to nothing.

Welcome Hunter, and if nothing else, it should keep Max happy.

 

[Hamingja]

So we have drafted two mids with big upsides. I think that is the right way to go. We have the meat and potato mids covered in Worpel, Bruhn & Clark. Roll the dice on some guys that could pop. If it ends up a wipe out, no big deal.

 

[Reg Hickey]

So we have drafted two mids with big upsides. I think that is the right way to go. We have the meat and potato mids covered in Worpel, Bruhn & Clark. Roll the dice on some guys that could pop. If it ends up a wipe out, no big deal.

Two quick, athletic 6'2" running mids. Prototype?

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I dont really like the pick if im honest. What I do like is athletically he does have a lot of potential and he clearly comes from a good family he will be a good citizen off field.
I dont however think his kicking is anywhere near afl standard and im not sure it can get to afl standard (that said hes raw so maybe with development it will).

I personally would have preferred philipou although no doubt his personality issues compared with Hunter as a good citizen comes into it.
No doubt that the club was more motivated to take him with Max already here.

 

[CHAWKS2]

Needs a lot of work, but I personally love it. Vintage Geelong archetype in need of a long VFL apprenticeship, but the raw ingredients are there.

Similar to the Barker pick, there's not a lot players in this draft with A-grade potential. Even some of the earlier guys look like 'nice players' at best.

When you're picking where we are in that situation, you might as well select the guys who have the traits to go far beyond that if it all clicks, even if the trade-off is they might amount to nothing.

Welcome Hunter, and if nothing else, it should keep Max happy.

Absolutely right. This is the only way we can beat equalisation. Pick players who are not ready to play (Dempsey, Zuthrie, Close and many others I assure BF family will identify) and therefore aren’t attractive to teams needing to get better immediately….but players with AFL traits and just build them up over 2-3 years.

Our GF team this year is full of players who didn’t star year 1 or were overlooked

 

[Hamingja]

Two quick, athletic 6'2" running mids. Prototype?

It is definitely our thing now under Scott.

 

[CHAWKS2]

So we have drafted two mids with big upsides. I think that is the right way to go. We have the meat and potato mids covered in Worpel, Bruhn & Clark. Roll the dice on some guys that could pop. If it ends up a wipe out, no big deal.

Or possibly AFL level (in a couple of years) half back flankers which we could need. Either way great optionality

 

[CHAWKS2]

Speed Kills

 

[Generalissimo]

Looks very raw in that highlight package, but I can see why Wells and Mackie rate him.

 

[BORIS332]

Pick 33 seems early for a kick that bad, even in a weak draft. Happy to have another Holmes though.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Hunter becomes the hunted!

I'll see myself out

 

[CHAWKS2]

I dont really like the pick if im honest. What I do like is athletically he does have a lot of potential and he clearly comes from a good family he will be a good citizen off field.
I dont however think his kicking is anywhere near afl standard and im not sure it can get to afl standard (that said hes raw so maybe with development it will).

I personally would have preferred philipou although no doubt his personality issues compared with Hunter as a good citizen comes into it.
No doubt that the club was more motivated to take him with Max already here.

I think you have sorted answered your own question. Character key and they know the family. Got traits but needs work. To be honest I think Maxs kicking isn’t AFL standard but he has been Cats best player despite that….?

 

[dudusmaximus]

Absolutely right. This is the only way we can beat equalisation. Pick players who are not ready to play (Dempsey, Zuthrie, Close and many others I assure BF family will identify) and therefore aren’t attractive to teams needing to get better immediately….but players with AFL traits and just build them up over 2-3 years.

Our GF team this year is full of players who didn’t star year 1 or were overlooked

Player Development is our Core Competency. Toss a lump of clay over to Nigel and he'll sculpt it into whatever we want.

 

[pinion]

Love it

 

[Kobe Gryant]

It is definitely our thing now under Scott.

With where the game is going, I'm all for it.

It's easy to forget, but we used to pray for times like these less than a decade ago. Getting anyone with speed felt like the rain was finally hitting the desert sand, with the (positive) reactions to our first Holmes being a classic example.

Nowadays, we've got it in abundance, and it's something you can't teach. With later picks, I'll take that everyday and hope you can develop the rest.

 

[ButterMill]

Sharing this article again for those wanting to read up on Hunter Holmes:

https://archive.is/amc7Q

 

[CHAWKS2]

Now wish we had of given Cam Guthrie one more year. Triple brothers!

 

[calder_daddy]

The improvement on Max early days and how he’s continuing to develop is what has me most excited on Hunter.

Smith looks like he just lost his spot on the dash brothers team

 

[CHAWKS2]

The improvement on Max early days and how he’s continuing to develop is what has me most excited on Hunter.

Smith looks like he just lost his spot on the dash brothers team

No one said there was a limit on the number of brothers that can dash

 

[Reg Hickey]

Absolutely right. This is the only way we can beat equalisation. Pick players who are not ready to play (Dempsey, Zuthrie, Close and many others I assure BF family will identify) and therefore aren’t attractive to teams needing to get better immediately….but players with AFL traits and just build them up over 2-3 years.

Our GF team this year is full of players who didn’t star year 1 or were overlooked

This makes sense.

I think the key to this is to have the absolute best development program in the AFL... and I suspect we would back ourselves in against anyone in that regard.

Take 'em raw and make 'em into stars.

To add to your list: Blicavs (early example), Mullin, O'Connor, Neale, Jack Henry, even Max Holmes.