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

[thegerman]

He might be in 6 months but he certainly wasn't tonight. Nowhere near afl fitness.
Plus we need to see whether his body can do week after week without breaking down there's no evidence it can yet.

Yes but I was pointing to wasting at least a first round and extra for Marshall. I’d rather skimp by for a year if either Conway doesn’t get up or we don’t sign Stanley to another year with these two other than wasting on Marshall

 

[Strange Cat]

Yes but I was pointing to wasting at least a first round and extra for Marshall. I’d rather skimp by for a year if either Conway doesn’t get up or we don’t sign Stanley to another year with these two other than wasting on Marshall

That would fly in the face of the club’s reputation that they’ll do everything to win a flag each year , basically admitting they are ok with having no rucks for the year

 

[cats_09]

He said we can't bank on it.

Be 100% real with yourself: How shocked would you be if we're sitting here in late Feb '26, Conway's just missed the two pre-season games, and we're rolling out SDK or Stanley's rotting corpse in round one yet again?

If the answer is anything close to "It wouldn't shock me" then there's the point FootyLad0 was getting at.

We need to remember that Conway has been involved with training sessions and competitive ruck work since mid-March; it really seems that they've taken an ultra conservative approach with his return, I'm guessing in the hope that he doesn't break down again this season


The following came from Jack Martin's press conference a couple of weeks back and wondering if we can apply the same thinking to the approach taken with Conway this year:

I think it has been a different approach to what I am used to, to what I have had previously.

At times it has been a little bit frustrating, I felt like I could have played football a little sooner.

But it was all about being patient and trying to get my body right, hopefully that holds me in good stead in the back half of the season.

With Conway having been in training for as long as he has, maybe we've got to take some positive thoughts in regards to the future

 

[thegerman]

That would fly in the face of the club’s reputation that they’ll do everything to win a flag each year , basically admitting they are ok with having no rucks for the year

Given we’ve done this regularly over the last so many seasons, I’d expect that they’d sign Stanley to another year, or that gives away their intention of signing a FA.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

That would fly in the face of the club’s reputation that they’ll do everything to win a flag each year , basically admitting they are ok with having no rucks for the year

That's why I would try and get ROB for 2 or 3 years without using draft picks that we will need for other trades.

 

[dazbroncos]

That's why I would try and get ROB for 2 or 3 years without using draft picks that we will need for other trades.

I suggested ROB was the overall best fit in Feb..... considering his age, ability, whats left in the tank , cost and what our needs are.

Still dont think we'll get him but its like the lest offensive version to me.

GO Catters

 

[CatsDoItBetter]

Obviously it’s only one game back but if Conway plays like he did last night he shouldn’t be kept on the list. Understandably his fitness will need to be improved but he was just pushed aside in almost every ruck contest.
He’s got a long way to go to get back into the team, we’re lucky Stanley has been competing so well this year.

At his size Conway needs to impose himself on the contest and shouldn’t be getting brushed aside in the ruck against vfl rucks.

 

[Hinkley29]

Dude just returned to VFL tonight, we can’t bank on him being AFL ready for early 2026

The guy has played barely any football (afl or vfl) since he joined the club.

I don’t think we can bank on him being afl ready ever.

 

[Warhorse]

Amazing this guy's name keeps coming up. We've got 4 younger mids who've had easily better seasons than him. I'm not sure an older, worse Ted Clohesy is what we need.

Clearly you are just stats watching. Hasn't been playing much midfield in the VFL as they are trying to develop him in other positions. He is a better contested ball winner than Clohesy and Clark.

Best comparison as a player is Bruhn. Very good in the centre square but needs to do more on the outside both offensively and defensively.

I would be OK giving a late pick for him in this year's draft. This draft is bad

 

[Strange Cat]

Obviously it’s only one game back but if Conway plays like he did last night he shouldn’t be kept on the list. Understandably his fitness will need to be improved but he was just pushed aside in almost every ruck contest.
He’s got a long way to go to get back into the team, we’re lucky Stanley has been competing so well this year.

At his size Conway needs to impose himself on the contest and shouldn’t be getting brushed aside in the ruck against vfl rucks.

One game back

JFC already writing him off ..amazing

 

[cats_09]

Obviously it’s only one game back but if Conway plays like he did last night he shouldn’t be kept on the list. Understandably his fitness will need to be improved but he was just pushed aside in almost every ruck contest.
He’s got a long way to go to get back into the team, we’re lucky Stanley has been competing so well this year.

At his size Conway needs to impose himself on the contest and shouldn’t be getting brushed aside in the ruck against vfl rucks.

Toby signed a 2yr extension earlier this year - that's not too say the club wouldn't trade him if made that request, but doubtful we'll be delisting him prior to the end of 2027

I didn't watch the first half last night, but the running commentary from those who did was that Conway had a major impact when he came on in the second quarter as he swung the momentum our way due to his dominance in the ruck

Watching the second half it was obvious he was tiring towards the end of the match, but even only playing the 3/4s last time, he still finished as the most dominant ruck from the game. While he's been involved in training & competitive ruck duties for a few months, it may take a little while to get the match fitness under his belt - so not sure last night's match is one to be used to rule him out

We also need to remember that his main opponent last night, Oscar Steene isn't simply a VFL ruck - he's only 4 months younger than Conway, while this is his 3rd season on Collingwood's AFL list & he's been pushing for his senior debut, to be seen at the 2IC to Darcy Cameron should that senior ruck spot open up

 

[dazbroncos]

Obviously it’s only one game back but if Conway plays like he did last night he shouldn’t be kept on the list. Understandably his fitness will need to be improved but he was just pushed aside in almost every ruck contest.
He’s got a long way to go to get back into the team, we’re lucky Stanley has been competing so well this year.

At his size Conway needs to impose himself on the contest and shouldn’t be getting brushed aside in the ruck against vfl rucks.

1 game back and laid the boots full on.

I see the bolded qualification.... but hey... you do you.

1 ****ing game lol

GO Catters

 

[Strange Cat]

1 game back and laid the boots full on.

I see the bolded qualification.... but hey... you do you.

1 ****ing game lol

GO Catters

VFL game no less

Just amazing

 

[cats_09]

1 game back and laid the boots full on.

I see the bolded qualification.... but hey... you do you.

1 ****ing game lol

GO Catters

It's an interesting observation considering the following which has been taken directly from last night's match report

One exciting takeaway for Cats fans was the performance of young ruckman, Toby Conway who pulled on the hoops for the first time in 2025 and had a profound impact around stoppages. Conway entered the game in the second quarter and despite playing restricted minutes, was able to accumulate 10 disposals, five clearances and 26 hit-outs.

VFL Match Report | Cats come up short on Saturday night

The VFL Cats fought right to the final siren but ultimately fell short against Collingwood at Mission Whitten Oval

www.geelongcats.com.au

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Toby signed a 2yr extension earlier this year - that's not too say the club wouldn't trade him if made that request, but doubtful we'll be delisting him prior to the end of 2027

I didn't watch the first half last night, but the running commentary from those who did was that Conway had a major impact when he came on in the second quarter as he swung the momentum our way due to his dominance in the ruck

Watching the second half it was obvious he was tiring towards the end of the match, but even only playing the 3/4s last time, he still finished as the most dominant ruck from the game. While he's been involved in training & competitive ruck duties for a few months, it may take a little while to get the match fitness under his belt - so not sure last night's match is one to be used to rule him out

We also need to remember that his main opponent last night, Oscar Steene isn't simply a VFL ruck - he's only 4 months younger than Conway, while this is his 3rd season on Collingwood's AFL list & he's been pushing for his senior debut, to be seen at the 2IC to Darcy Cameron should that senior ruck spot open up

Because i was only able to flick it on late I expected Conway to be gassed and being beaten but he was going pretty well.

I'd feel fine giving him a game against Essendon in a few weeks time and giving Stanley a week off. Maybe even against Port too the week before

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Obviously it’s only one game back but if Conway plays like he did last night he shouldn’t be kept on the list. Understandably his fitness will need to be improved but he was just pushed aside in almost every ruck contest.
He’s got a long way to go to get back into the team, we’re lucky Stanley has been competing so well this year.

At his size Conway needs to impose himself on the contest and shouldn’t be getting brushed aside in the ruck against vfl rucks.

Was that earlier in the game he was getting pushed aside? I saw him turned around a few times having misread the throw in but nothing that would have concerned me

 

[Strange Cat]

Conway wasn’t that bad from the limited gametime I watched , presented well for the ground ball and tried to do too much imo and was very gassed and rusty

1 game back after an extended layoff it’s to be expected

 

[jim boy]

Plus we need to see whether his body can do week after week without breaking down there's no evidence it can yet.

By the converse, there isn't much evidence it will break down. He has been out for the last year effectively because of a back issue. Yeah, they take time to heal, but if it was a chronic issue, he would have been delisted. Our medical team have shown that back issues can be overcome - Hawkins for example.
I'd be more concerned if he had repeat soft-tissue injuries or knee issues.

if we are going to trade our 1st rounder away, I would prefer it is going in a deal for a player like Butters, rather than a soon-to-be has-been like Marshall.

 

[FootyLad0]

What? So he can’t be fit in 6 months time. Are you kidding

If you're banking on a guy playing 6 games total in his career that has spent the majority of it injured all of a sudden having AFL level fitness taking the full time ruck job then go for it (I wish I could have this much blind confidence) but that’s an issue waiting to happen.

He would have to be fit and ready to play EVERY WEEK

 

[Del216647]

He said we can't bank on it.

Be 100% real with yourself: How shocked would you be if we're sitting here in late Feb '26, Conway's just missed the two pre-season games, and we're rolling out SDK or Stanley's rotting corpse in round one yet again?

If the answer is anything close to "It wouldn't shock me" then there's the point FootyLad0 was getting at.

We can't be letting Conway's spot on the list affect any upcoming ruck list management decisions/forward planning in this area.

We all love him and can see he could be a very good player, but until he can demonstrate his ability to stay on the park for longer than five-minutes, we almost need to pretend he doesn't exist at this point. I of course don't mean that in a nasty way, what I am getting at is we just continue to support him, develop him etc, whilst taking the approach we just can't bank on him playing senior footy the next two years.

That being the case, we need to cast the net far and wide to secure a starting best 22 ruck for 2026. It's all about doing a risk assessment and the risk is high he may not play a lot of footy next year. If we can get a ruck in via trade/FA/drafting a mature age, and Conway comes good, we have a seriously good problem on our hands.

 

[FootyLad0]

He said we can't bank on it.

Be 100% real with yourself: How shocked would you be if we're sitting here in late Feb '26, Conway's just missed the two pre-season games, and we're rolling out SDK or Stanley's rotting corpse in round one yet again?

If the answer is anything close to "It wouldn't shock me" then there's the point FootyLad0 was getting at.

THANK YOU

People getting salty without going in looking at it realistically.
Toby has not shown he can stay healthy week to week.
Until he does so we need a Plan.

Geelong does not sit on its hands. It flies in the face of everything we stand for.
Doesn’t have to be Marshall, we just need to do something.

 

[Mr Meow]

If you're banking on a guy playing 6 games total in his career that has spent the majority of it injured all of a sudden having AFL level fitness taking the full time ruck job then go for it (I wish I could have this much blind confidence) but that’s an issue waiting to happen.

He would have to be fit and ready to play EVERY WEEK.

Am I missing something? Why every week? Haven't we used other players in ruck?

 

[FootyLad0]

Am I missing something? Why every week? Haven't we used other players in ruck?

Rhys Stanley has been our starting Ruck every week while fit and available to play
Are we all of a sudden not doing that if it’s Toby?

He can’t play another position and I doubt it’s good for team chemistry to only play him every second game.
If he’s playing AFL level, it’s to be starting Ruck every week.
If the club are being cautious about his body, why would they suddenly change to ramp it up to AFL level week to week.

It’s one or the other, either the guy is good to go and ready to play week by week, game by game.
Or, the more likely is they are taking it slow with him as to not do too much to the bloke and put him back on the shelf.

I’d love for Toby to be ready Round 1 2026 as our full time Ruck, I love the bloke and what he can bring.
I’m just not blindly faithful he’ll be AFL ready to take the rigours week to week.

 

[Hamingja]

From my POV we have 3 issues with our list.

We are two elite midfielders short.

We need a mature ruck to bridge the gap between Stanley and the young rucks we have drafted over the last few years.

We need an elite key forward prospect to replace Cameron in a couple of years time.

With our likely finishing position this year and the shenanigans at the draft you would expect our first pick to be circa pick 20.

It is unlikely that pick would be able to address either the elite midfielders that we need or to be able to draft an elite key forward prospect, draft wise these guys are generally either F/S, Academy or go in the top 10 picks for the most part.

You might get the odd Holmes as a late first rounder but you need to churn through half a dozen Billie Smedts

Billie Smedts

Age

33

Ht

190cm

Wt

85kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.9

3star

K

5.8

2star

HB

5.1

4star

M

2.9

3star

T

2.8

4star

CL

0.6

3star

No current season stats available

D

10.2

3star

K

6.6

3star

HB

3.6

3star

M

2.4

3star

T

2.4

4star

CL

0.2

2star

, Darcy Lang

16

Darcy Lang

Age

30

Ht

183cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.1

3star

K

7.4

3star

HB

5.7

4star

M

3.3

3star

T

3.4

5star

G

0.7

4star

D

4.0

1star

K

2.0

1star

HB

2.0

1star

M

0.0

1star

T

2.0

3star

G

1.0

4star

D

11.2

3star

K

5.8

3star

HB

5.4

4star

M

2.0

3star

T

3.0

5star

G

0.4

3star

, Lachie Fogarty, Cooper Stephens types before you hit on one of them.

Marshall would effectively be the low hanging fruit and address the mature ruck option and our first pick should get it done.

People saying that they would prefer to trade that pick for Butters are living in fantasy land. While Butters and Reid are under contract, neither team would accept a deal if we offered our 25R1, 26R1 and 27R1 combined.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

From my POV we have 3 issues with our list.

We are two elite midfielders short.

We need a mature ruck to bridge the gap between Stanley and the young rucks we have drafted over the last few years.

We need an elite key forward prospect to replace Cameron in a couple of years time.

With our likely finishing position this year and the shenanigans at the draft you would expect our first pick to be circa pick 20.

It is unlikely that pick would be able to address either the elite midfielders that we need or to be able to draft an elite key forward prospect, draft wise these guys are generally either F/S, Academy or go in the top 10 picks for the most part.

You might get the odd Holmes as a late first rounder but you need to churn through half a dozen Billie Smedts, Darcy Lang, Lachie Fogarty, Cooper Stephens types before you hit on one of them.

Marshall would effectively be the low hanging fruit and address the mature ruck option and our first pick should get it done.

People saying that they would prefer to trade that pick for Butters are living in fantasy land. While Butters and Reid are under contract, neither team would accept a deal if we offered our 25R1, 26R1 and 27R1 combined.

I agree but remember if we are going after Reid or Butters in 2026 (neither get traded this year) we may want to save picks for that (eg might trade the r1 into future picks) rather than trade for Marshall.
Most of the elite guys people talk about won't move til next year when they are ooc-zac Bailey is the only one I can see moving under contract this year. It may best to just get worpel and possibly a cheap FA ruck like ROB and save our picks for trades next year.