Bartel decides!!!!

[cat_shack]

If anyone is interested in what has happened to bartel go to www.gfc.com.au

very very good news!

 

[ScouseCat]

From GFC website:

Bartel, Chambers latest Cats to re-sign
gfc.com.au
Thu 9 October, 2003

http://gfc.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=123489

Geelong midfielder James Bartel and ruckman Paul Chambers have reached agreement with the club on new contracts. Bartel, who hails from Geelong, has played 24 games in his first two seasons with the club after being chosen by the Cats with the eighth pick in the 2001 AFL draft. Chambers was picked up by the Cats in the rookie draft and was elevated to the senior list in 2002.

"We are pleased that we have reached agreement with James and Paul and that they will continue to be a part of the team that we are building here," Geelong chief executive Brian Cook said.

"James has shown that he has the talent and desire to be a key contributor for the club and we are looking forward to his further development in the coming years. James asked that we wait until the end of the season before discussing his future and once the season finished we were able to finalise the agreement with a minimum of fuss."

"Paul proved last season that he can succeed at AFL level. We feel he will continue to develop and offer support for Steven King."

Bartel, who was an outstanding junior cricketer before hanging up the whites in favour of footy, is a hard-nosed midfielder with smooth skills. He played 11 games in his debut season and followed up with 13 more in 2003. Bartel played at St Joseph’s in Geelong before graduating to the Geelong Falcons in the TAC Cup.

A dual under 18 All Australian, Bartel earned a Rising Star nomination in his first AFL season and helped the Cats to the VFL premiership.

Chambers was a standout with the Western Jets in the TAC Cup before joining the Cats. He played three games in 2002 and followed up with 13 games last season.

Bartel, who is currently in Queensland, and Chambers will join their teammates for pre-season training on 30 October.

 

[dogman22]

Great to see that Bartel's re-signed - unfortunately, loyalty seems to be a fading thing in football.

Don't mind the Cats myself, Geelong (the town) holds some pretty sentimental memories for me, and I've done some work at junior clinics last year (July school holidays 2002)

 

[Rubberducky]

By far the best news we've had since season's end.
Can't wait for Jimmy to play a big part in Geelongs midfield in 2004.

 

[catattack]

Good to see he re-signed, although I never doubted he would. As I've said all along he was just milking us for the best deal, looking at everything, before he signs with us.

Ah well, that's all over now. People can rest!

 

[you_idiot]

Article in Friday's Herald-Sun... Mark Thompson admits that Bartel is considered as a vital cog in the team's long-term plans.

Also mentions Brisbane's Daniel Bradshaw as another (but not necessarily the next) probable target.

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,7513167%5E20322,00.html

Bartel last link in Cats' plans
By JON ANDERSON
10oct03

GEELONG has completed its plan to keep its promising young players together by re-signing James Bartel.

Bartel, 19, was selected by the Cats at No. 8 in the high-quality 2001 draft.

"Never at any stage did we want to lose James," Cat coach coach Mark Thompson said yesterday.

The only player yet to accept a new offer is David Clarke, who had an injury-riddled year after finishing seventh and eighth in the 2001 and 2002 best and fairests.

Clarke, 23, who has 89 games behind him, has a close relationship with Thompson.

Carlton has expressed interest in the former national sprinting champion.

The Cats best option in their search for a key forward appears to be Brisbane's Daniel Bradshaw since Jade Rawlings decided to join the Kangaroos.

But the out-of-contract Lion is not expected to move.

His teammate Tim Notting is available and will be picked up by a club hoping for a bargain buy along the lines of Craig Bolton and Ben Robbins.

 

[catattack]

Originally posted by you_idiot
Also mentions Brisbane's Daniel Bradshaw as another (but not necessarily the next) probable target.

Good to see the club still going after a forward. They would want to hurry up though with negotiations, because trade week is fast approaching.

If we can play our cards right and get Bradshaw and Solomon, then I'll be quietly happy. Only two problems... 1) The money we offer them, compared to other clubs and what we're prepared to give... and 2) The deals we have to come up with, and who we trade off.