Rumour GFC 2025 Player Trading, Drafting FA, Rumours and Wish lists Pt 2

[Gee Class Loco]

Back up ruckman is like being a back up quarterback.

You get paid good money for being an insurance policy that rarely (if ever) plays. Because you don’t play you never get exposed as not being good enough, which means you stay on a list for 5 years longer than you should.

Call it the Brayden Preuss effect. He stayed on a list for 10 years whilst playing 28 decidedly mediocre games. What a great gig.

If goad and madden go to a club where they will actually play, they will be exposed as either being good enough or not. Usually they are no good. Staying at a club where you can sit behind a quality durable ruckman is often a better career move.

But.... A ruckman is not remotely close to describing a QB i have to say.

There is a nice little batch of players that are forming around our picks for the draft.

At the moment we are around pick 17 and 35. Plus 5 with other picks f/s and academy.

The ones on my list that may slip who have enormous upside are

Cody Curtin
Has dropped down the ratings significantly and it is because he didn't have a great championship. He was a potential top 5 pick at the beginning of the year and is a mountain of a man I would guess 197 plus and 100 kg plus. He is the second coming of Tom Hawkins (Tomohawk won the larke medal though). He has looked slow at times and had many critics, so much that maybe he does slip to even our second round pick, but I would be happy to take a risk on him. Has kicked over 5 goals in 6 of his last 10 Colts games and has still drawn criticism. Btw brother of this years rising star Dan.

Hunter Holmes
Another brother that has slid down the rankings, he is a very raw talent but so was Max. Has that speed and carry that is so valuable and would love to have another set of brothers at the cats.

Archie Ludowyke
He looks a player that can take a grab at full stretch 195 plus and a little bit like Shanahan last year is a kpp player that may slip but has something that I really like from the vision I have seen. Played some senior football and held his own.

Riley Onley
Big bodied midfielder with power and speed, looks to have a gear that most don't for his size. Has a little bit wayward kicking at times but I think the upside is huge. I don't think he will slip to our second pick though.

Sullivan Robey
The hottest name in the draft at the moment has come from not making a under 18 squad playing seniors in the regional leagues and bursting on to the under 18 scene with 40 and 3 and 27 and 2 in the last two games being finals. He is a big midfielder a little bit like Jack Bowes but with a bit more explosiveness from what I can see. Will be a bolter but maybe too big a risk to go before our first pick.

Jesse Mellor
Our Academy boy kicked 4 last week in the finals and has played senior football for the cats already with 17 possessions and 2 goals in one game. Seems to be the forward who can go into the midfield type, which we have alot of but would be silly not to match a bid on him.

Sam Swadling
Love this guy as a footballer, his smarts and skills are great. He is a ball magnet and is dominating colts and playing very well in league football as well for West Perth. His championships became an all aus member but was not used in the midfield enough to really show what he is against quality opposition. Could be a Lenny Hayes or a Paddy Dow.

Cumming, Barker, Greeves possible slips as well.

What i hear is.
The Shepparton boy is well and truly in our sights (Onley).... as well as the South Australian Cumming?
As for Hunter. If his surname name was Smith... he would be lucky to be a 4th round pick. So he will be there.

 

[Turbocat]

I agree, but honestly I would be upset if we overpaid like some seem to suggest. StKilda need him gone just as much as we need him here.

I guess it gets down to defining “Over Pay” …. I have a bias to adding kids that i always have to keep in check .

In the end no matter what it looks like in cost ..its what those picks deliver ..sort of like the Bruihn pick to Darcy Jones

One kid that resonates the Wellisan tactic of trying to find value in the injured is Harley Barker. He has done a knee and might be available now at our pick. A quick, goal kicking runner.. If Wells rated him much earlier than a an early 20/.. I could see us not worrying about the 12 months.

so just like the Caddy COS and Mannagh trade … it might take a while to really know if we have under/over paid. If RM gives us 50 games and a good final or two then probably think what we paid is well spen even with what we missed on picking a good kid.

If we do add Marshall , I wonder if we do acquire another pick somewhere .. or just empty out of this draft.

 

[No Quarter]

I think we all felt like trading in Rhys Stanley

1

Rhys Stanley

Age

35

Ht

200cm

Wt

102kg

Pos.

Ruck

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.6

3star

K

7.2

3star

HB

6.4

4star

CL

3.4

5star

HO

27.6

5star

D

12.0

3star

K

7.5

3star

HB

4.5

3star

CL

5.0

5star

HO

21.5

5star

D

11.8

3star

K

5.4

2star

HB

6.4

4star

CL

3.0

5star

HO

33.0

5star

was a mistake too, at the time.

Sometimes trades work out better than we think.

I think if Geelong fail to bring in another ruck option for 2026, they could be found wanting.

Without knowing much about Rowan specifically, I feel a 30yo ruckman these days, could very well have another 5 years in them.

 

[iameviljez]

I think we all felt like trading in Rhys Stanley was a mistake too, at the time.

Sometimes trades work out better than we think.

I think if Geelong fail to bring in another ruck option for 2026, they could be found wanting.

Without knowing much about Rowan specifically, I feel a 30yo ruckman these days, could very well have another 5 years in them.

I was upset at the time - I thought we had hugely overpaid (p21, which was effectively swapped for Christensen).

At the time, though, he was seen as a tall forward who could pinch hit in the ruck.

 

[Jumping Jack]

I think Marshall is a very "Chris Scott

Chris Scott

Age

49

Ht

182cm

Wt

89kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

16.6

4star

K

11.2

4star

HB

5.4

4star

M

5.1

5star

T

1.6

4star

G

0.4

3star

No current season stats available

D

13.2

4star

K

10.2

4star

HB

3.0

3star

M

2.2

3star

T

2.8

5star

G

0.4

3star

& Geelong" style of ruckman. Everything seems to line up with him being a target.

He's not a giant at 201cm and generally not known for dominating hitouts. But his follow up work at centre bounces and around the ground is very much in line with how we've managed our ruck situation in recent memory. We won't have Blicavs forever but a mobile combination of Marshall / Conway / SDK / COS is how I think we'll probably look over the next few years once Blicavs is done.

My Saints followers ITK reckon their club will say publicly that they won't let go of Marshall, but will privately be happy to let him go - get his $800k (or so) back on their books to help cover the TDK investment, and then bring in Geelong's first rounder and possibly a player like Clohesy. In broad terms I think that's a win for both clubs, and why many are suggesting that the deal will get done.

 

[standupand]

"Sullivan Robey" sounds, on a name basis, like the antidote to "Joel Corey". Needs a first name!

If we end up with a Mark O'Connor, a Connor O'Sullivan and a Sullivan O'whatzisname, it's going to do my head in.

 

[standupand]

I was upset at the time - I thought we had hugely overpaid (p21, which was effectively swapped for Christensen).

At the time, though, he was seen as a tall forward who could pinch hit in the ruck.

My memory of Stanley at St Kilda was primarily as a CHB. Did I get that wrong?

 

[canny30]

My memory of Stanley at St Kilda was primarily as a CHB. Did I get that wrong?

I remember him as a tall fwd.

He bagged 5 or 6 against Freo one year.

 

[Footy Smarts]

My memory of Stanley at St Kilda was primarily as a CHB. Did I get that wrong?

Nah key forward and 2nd ruck. He was very similar to Shannon Neale in style. Incredible physical attributes.

Stanley's Stkilda years were a bit like Neale 2024 before breaking out this year. Clearly talented but didn't often put it together. Stanley had been playing at that inconsistent standard for a few years without breaking out though so he looked very much like an unfulfilled talent when we traded for him.

 

[Lingsface]

Why has Hunter slid down the rankings? What are the knocks on him?

Just doesn't get involved consistently enough. When he can find it he is damaging and a good player.

 

[Tony Barber]

Stanley actually started as a forward for the Saints if I remember as a forward then a forward/2nd ruck behind McEvoy.

I remember a game of the Saints early on they had him at CHF and were saying he would be the next Riewoldt.

The guy who recruited Stanley originally started at Geelong.
He apparently complained that the saints had him the wrong position 'he's a ruckman'.

Said guy (who I cant remember) returns to Geelong and bingo, we recruit Stanley.

 

[standupand]

I remember him as a tall fwd.

He bagged 5 or 6 against Freo one year.

Nah key forward and 2nd ruck. He was very similar to Shannon Neale in style. Incredible physical attributes.

Stanley's Stkilda years were a bit like Neale 2024 before breaking out this year. Clearly talented but didn't often put it together. Stanley had been playing at that inconsistent standard for a few years without breaking out though so he looked very much like an unfulfilled talent when we traded for him.

Cheers guys.

Memory is a funny thing.

Went back to check the old team sheets. Looks like yeah he did play as a forward a lot of the time. However 2013 he was listed in the backline for most of the year. That must be the year I'm remembering.

 

[Del216647]

I remember him as a tall fwd.

He bagged 5 or 6 against Freo one year.

I remember that game well. Absolutely dominated. He kicked 3.2, took 14 marks and had 19 disposals. Also had 13 hitouts.

Then got traded to us at the end of that year.

 

[Kitcat]

Just doesn't get involved consistently enough. When he can find it he is damaging and a good player.

And presumably athletic and fit?

 

[Lingsface]

And presumably athletic and fit?

Yeah has his brothers genes big motor and fast.

 

[Lingsface]

But.... A ruckman is not remotely close to describing a QB i have to say.

What i hear is.
The Shepparton boy is well and truly in our sights (Onley).... as well as the South Australian Cumming?
As for Hunter. If his surname name was Smith... he would be lucky to be a 4th round pick. So he will be there.

He maybe Bailey's brother then....
I see what you mean but because you have the brother to compare to and the similarities at the age, it's hard to overlook.
I would be happy with Onley or Cumming.

 

[catempire]

The guy who recruited Stanley originally started at Geelong.
He apparently complained that the saints had him the wrong position 'he's a ruckman'.

Said guy (who I cant remember) returns to Geelong and bingo, we recruit Stanley.

Can verify this story. Wells thought Saints were using Stanley wrong and he was a ruckman.

 

[Oisin_the_Goat]

Just some PUB talk from the other night.
So why would Ross Lyon and his crew target a Ruckman(TDK) when they have a great one of their own?
Not that great? Limitations? Too old? Not mobile or athletic enough for his vision of the modern game?
Going forward where mobile rucks are gonna be the trend is he expendable?
Another period of opinions, debate, arguments and frustrations in the upcoming weeks prior to the draft and trade week for the great folk on here.
Love It!!!
Cheers Boys and how great is it to be Cat fan these days!!
My kids will never know what it was like to live through the 70's and 80's... and 90's lol.
Go Caters!!

The Saints throw money at everything these days. Even if its a boulder they probably pay it $2m a year.

But tbh Marshall has always been quite mobile. I think they just wanted to bring in a younger player that will last them 10 or so years.

 

[Jumping Jack]

Can verify this story. Wells thought Saints were using Stanley wrong and he was a ruckman.

Stanley's best patch of football at St Kilda was actually at CHB.

 

[Reg Hickey]

Just doesn't get involved consistently enough. When he can find it he is damaging and a good player.

I seem to remember Max copping the same criticism not so long ago. Didn't get enough of the ball. Now he regularly posts 30+ touches and is still just as damaging with it.

 

[foxdog50]

Hunter Holmes... what pick k range is he supposed to go at? I can't find anything about on what his ment to go at

 

[Reg Hickey]

Killed it within their first 50 games, not many players do that in any position let alone a key position player.
But that’s different to not even playing during that period, to get to that many games that’d take Conway into his 9th or 10th season if he suddenly had a good run from next season.

Xerri was actually performing well for a while but was stuck under Goldstein. Lots of other rucks have come in at a younger age and performed. Grundy, Gawn, Jackson, Darcy and plenty of others.

I don’t have anything against Conway it’s just really hard to see everything going well for him from here to make it.
Hope I’m wrong

Right now Conway is 22yo and has played a grand total of 6 games at AFL level.

Age is important for physical maturity and strength, but number of games is just as important (if not moreso) for experience, game feel, mental maturity, etc.

Grundy was a ridiculous manchild, while Gawn, Darcy and Jackson are generational talents. But even those guys took much more than 6 games to have an impact.

Gawn was 23yo and in his fifth season (including one lost to a knee) before he started to make an impact. He already had a whole season more games under his belt by the start of that season than Conway does now.

Darcy had more games under his belt by the end of his second season than Conway does now, and at that point his total haul was 3 goals, 14 hitouts and not much in the way of marks, disposals or anything else. That's total, not average.

Xerri was 25yo at the start of 2024 and had played 33 games - thats 3 years older and more than an entire season more games than Conway right now. To that point he'd averaged 9 possessions, 1.5 marks, 16 hitouts and 3 tackles (worth noting that Conway's stats so far compare very favourably to that - so far at AFL level he's averaging 12 possessions, 2.2 marks, 25 hitouts and 3.5 tackles per game).

In the last two seasons Xerri has played 43 games and averaged 18 possessions, 2.5 marks, 35 hitouts and 7 tackles. Night and day, almost overnight. Opportunity, physical maturity and experience.

So I'd say that Conway is still very young and very inexperienced, and as a ruckman has plenty of time. It is of course dependent on him getting fit and getting games under his belt, and I'm as concerned as anyone with his seemingly chronic inability to get out on the park. But the club knows those issues better than any of us, and if they still think they can get his body right, we'd be out of our minds to write him off at 22yo and after 6 games.

 

[canny30]

Right now Conway is 22yo and has played a grand total of 6 games at AFL level.

Age is important for physical maturity and strength, but number of games is just as important (if not moreso) for experience, game feel, mental maturity, etc.

Grundy was a ridiculous manchild, while Gawn, Darcy and Jackson are generational talents. But even those guys took much more than 6 games to have an impact.

Gawn was 23yo and in his fifth season (including one lost to a knee) before he started to make an impact. He already had a whole season more games under his belt by the start of that season than Conway does now.

Darcy had more games under his belt by the end of his second season than Conway does now, and at that point his total haul was 3 goals, 14 hitouts and not much in the way of marks, disposals or anything else. That's total, not average.

Xerri was 25yo at the start of 2024 and had played 33 games - thats 3 years older and more than an entire season more games than Conway right now. To that point he'd averaged 9 possessions, 1.5 marks, 16 hitouts and 3 tackles (worth noting that Conway's stats so far compare very favourably to that - so far at AFL level he's averaging 12 possessions, 2.2 marks, 25 hitouts and 3.5 tackles per game).

In the last two seasons Xerri has played 43 games and averaged 18 possessions, 2.5 marks, 35 hitouts and 7 tackles. Night and day, almost overnight. Opportunity, physical maturity and experience.

So I'd say that Conway is still very young and very inexperienced, and as a ruckman has plenty of time. It is of course dependent on him getting fit and getting games under his belt, and I'm as concerned as anyone with his seemingly chronic inability to get out on the park. But the club knows those issues better than any of us, and if they still think they can get his body right, we'd be out of our minds to write him off at 22yo and after 6 games.

Conway will be 250 game ruckman of he can get his body right, which he will.

Very highly rated at St Mary's FC and the wider Geelong region, which is arguably the best country footy region in Australia.

 

[Reg Hickey]

I think Marshall is a very "Chris Scott & Geelong" style of ruckman. Everything seems to line up with him being a target.

He's not a giant at 201cm and generally not known for dominating hitouts. But his follow up work at centre bounces and around the ground is very much in line with how we've managed our ruck situation in recent memory. We won't have Blicavs forever but a mobile combination of Marshall / Conway / SDK / COS is how I think we'll probably look over the next few years once Blicavs is done.

My Saints followers ITK reckon their club will say publicly that they won't let go of Marshall, but will privately be happy to let him go - get his $800k (or so) back on their books to help cover the TDK investment, and then bring in Geelong's first rounder and possibly a player like Clohesy. In broad terms I think that's a win for both clubs, and why many are suggesting that the deal will get done.

I still think R1 + Clohesy is overs in terms of pure value given Marshall's age...

...but I'd probably be prepared to do it because Marshall is likely to be more valuable to us in the next 3-4 years while we're right in the hunt than Clohesy (who has too many ahead of him right now) and whoever we would draft with that pick.

Conversely I would think that Clohesy and a new draftee would be much more valuable to St Kilda than Marshall, who have several younger rucks on their list (including a new one 4 years younger and being paid more than twice as much) and are very unlikely to be realistically contending for a flag before Marshall retires.

Win-win.

I'd also like to see Ted get a decent run at it, which is much more likely at St Kilda than here. He could be a very solid AFL player given the opportunity.

 

[Turbocat]

I think Marshall is a very "Chris Scott & Geelong" style of ruckman. Everything seems to line up with him being a target.

He's not a giant at 201cm and generally not known for dominating hitouts. But his follow up work at centre bounces and around the ground is very much in line with how we've managed our ruck situation in recent memory. We won't have Blicavs forever but a mobile combination of Marshall / Conway / SDK / COS is how I think we'll probably look over the next few years once Blicavs is done.

My Saints followers ITK reckon their club will say publicly that they won't let go of Marshall, but will privately be happy to let him go - get his $800k (or so) back on their books to help cover the TDK investment, and then bring in Geelong's first rounder and possibly a player like Clohesy. In broad terms I think that's a win for both clubs, and why many are suggesting that the deal will get done.

If thats what is cost ..id certainly feel like they had given a good walloping at the trade table. Maybe they throw in a 2027 Fr3 to sort put a bit of ice on the bruises..?