Player Watch #33 Patrick Retschko

[tiger_tough]

Cats probably unloaded Retschko quick smart when they realised how well connected his was at another club or even two clubs, but mainly Richmond, with his dad also employed gainfully by the Hawks. It would be immensely risky for them to try to carry on their labrynthine cheating activities with such a person at close quarters for many years.

So if people think the Cats delisting him was strange from a football perspective, this will likely be why it was done. And the better Retschko turns out as a player, the more certain it is that this is what caused the Cats to jettison him. I am not sure when was the last time Cats delisted a player early and he went on to be a really good player. It doesn't really happen.

 

[tiger_tough]

I like him a lot. Looking like a great bit of business.

 

[Meteoric Rise]

I like him a lot. Looking like a great bit of business.

Why do you think the Cats delisted Retschko after 1 year?

 

[tiger_tough]

Why do you think the Cats delisted Retschko after 1 year?

Not too sure, but I expect it is because the campaigners have been contending for 20 years so list spots are tight as ever. Plus, they have very good wing depth already. It probably came down to giving George Stevens a lifeline or keeping on Retschko and they went for the bloke who had performed better in 2025 in Stevens. Probably a mistake in hindsite.

There's not a ****ing chance he was cut because he was a Richmond fan as a kid and his Dad worked for Hawks

 

[Meteoric Rise]

Not too sure, but I expect it is because the campaigners have been contending for 20 years so list spots are tight as ever. Plus, they have very good wing depth already. It probably came down to giving George Stevens a lifeline or keeping on Retschko and they went for the bloke who had performed better in 2025 in Stevens. Probably a mistake in hindsite.

There's not a ****ing chance he was cut because he was a Richmond fan as a kid and his Dad worked for Hawks

Stand to be corrected, but I think the involvement at Richmond ran a bit deeper in his family than just Patrick being a fan. And my understanding is his dad currently works at the Hawks. Has done work for other clubs as well.

One Richmond Stories: Retschko's Richmond relations run deep

New recruit Patrick Retschko's connection to Richmond runs deep through his family.

www.richmondfc.com.au

 

[Tiger_4_Life]

I'm glad he has a good size and isn't needing ten years in the gym

 

[Coach_Required]

Why do you think the Cats delisted Retschko after 1 year?

Maybe they thought his defensive running was below par ...

 

[Meteoric Rise]

Maybe they thought his defensive running was below par ...

Does that seem to be the case watching him?

 

[Coach_Required]

Not too sure, but I expect it is because the campaigners have been contending for 20 years so list spots are tight as ever. Plus, they have very good wing depth already. It probably came down to giving George Stevens a lifeline or keeping on Retschko and they went for the bloke who had performed better in 2025 in Stevens. Probably a mistake in hindsite.

There's not a ****ing chance he was cut because he was a Richmond fan as a kid and his Dad worked for Hawks

I remember a few cats' fans came onto our board at the time and were disappointed he was let go. Cats already had a few choices in that position, and they probably felt it would take him a few years to develop in that role.

I'm glad we got him, from what I have seen so far he has strong hands when tackled, has that ability to get the arms out and dish a handpass while keeping his feet. I hope he keeps his chance when a bad game comes and isn't banished for it.

 

[tiger_tough]

I remember a few cats' fans came onto our board at the time and were disappointed he was let go. Cats already had a few choices in that position, and they probably felt it would take him a few years to develop in that role.

I'm glad we got him, from what I have seen so far he has strong hands when tackled, has that ability to get the arms out and dish a handpass while keeping his feet. I hope he keeps his chance when a bad game comes and isn't banished for it.

Will be out regardless as doon as Yzes favorite Ralphsmith is fit

 

[From45SlightAngle]

Always think of this bloke whenever I go past "Mr Paul Retschko" on corner of Bridge Rd and Lennox St.

He's playing well so far this year.

 

[tiger_tough]

It's pretty rare for a very outside player to not be an absolute soft campaigner. Easy to forget he's only in year 2 also.

 

[THE_GUN]

I remember a few cats' fans came onto our board at the time and were disappointed he was let go. Cats already had a few choices in that position, and they probably felt it would take him a few years to develop in that role.

I'm glad we got him, from what I have seen so far he has strong hands when tackled, has that ability to get the arms out and dish a handpass while keeping his feet. I hope he keeps his chance when a bad game comes and isn't banished for it.

Then they go and draft Holmes brother

 

[RJK Tiger]

I'm glad he has a good size and isn't needing ten years in the gym

Yep, but is that because he spent a year at Geelong before he came to us?

Agree he has been good since he came in, but fk. Should one of our most impressive under 21 players be the bloke we got for free from another team who delisted from their rookie list? Irrelevant to all that, i agree he has been one of our shining lights over the past month which is good

 

[T4P]

Why do you think the Cats delisted Retschko after 1 year?

because they have enough wing depth and his disposal isn't great. Elite wingers in the AFL are top tier kicks.

 

[energyquant]

...Also speaks volumes of the Cats eyes for talent and depth (ironic that they discarded Retshko, most likely as they had plenty of depth on wing). Sick of seeing them always landing bargains from Ireland, Rookie Draft, Steeplechasers, Tom Stewart from pub leagues, discards from other clubs like Isaac Smith, Bailey for cheap as chips. Their list managers really are to be admired.

 

[Meteoric Rise]

because they have enough wing depth and his disposal isn't great. Elite wingers in the AFL are top tier kicks.

Why tf did they recruit him one year earlier then?

You guys gotta get with the 'gram here.

 

[sabso]

Why do you think the Cats delisted Retschko after 1 year?

Geelong don’t need wingers because their ground doesn’t have wings

 

[Meteoric Rise]

Geelong don’t need wingers because their ground doesn’t have wings

they must have thought Retschko was a ruckman when they recruited him.

 

[Infamy]

Why do you think the Cats delisted Retschko after 1 year?

Technically they didn't in the end, they planned to, but traded him to us first

 

[Charlie Pannam]

because they have enough wing depth and his disposal isn't great. Elite wingers in the AFL are top tier kicks.

I guess they are the reasons.
He did have some really good VFL form with the Cats
Maybe they did what was best for the players career in this case.
He’s one of those guys that has to really concentrate on his kicking, it’s not a natural skill for him. That kick on the siren last week , when he tried to roost a torpedo from the back pocket and put it 15 rows into the crowd was a shocker.

 

[Achilles Heel]

I'm glad he has a good size and isn't needing ten years in the gym

Cats peptides still working

 

[Muddiemoose]

Why do you think the Cats delisted Retschko after 1 year?

They are well stocked for Wingers and probably just needed to free up a list spot

Would of just let his manager know if he wanted to explore his options they would make it work if he found a new home

 

[THE_GUN]

They are well stocked for Wingers and probably just needed to free up a list spot

Would of just let his manager know if he wanted to explore his options they would make it work if he found a new home

Then ......................................

Pick #33 Geelol select Hunter Holmes

 

[Meteoric Rise]

They are well stocked for Wingers and probably just needed to free up a list spot

Would of just let his manager know if he wanted to explore his options they would make it work if he found a new home

Their stocks of wingers didn't suddenly change in 1 year. Make no mistake, this was a very unusual move by the Cats given Retschko clearly has some traits worth working with and he is not known to be troublesome in any way.