Rumour GFC 2025 Player Trading, Drafting FA, Rumours and Wish lists Pt 3

[cats_09]

2025 AFL Draft and Trade Dates:​

Fri Oct 3 - Fri Oct 10: 2025 Free Agency Period
Mon Oct 6 - Wed Oct 15: 2025 Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period
Wed Nov 19 - Thu Nov 20: 2025 Telstra AFL Draft

 

[Warhorse]

... because if I'm picking out of Stanley, Brayden Crossley, Mason Cox and some other VFL ruck, I'm picking Stanley. Still.

How about a version of Stanley that hasn't played for 5 weeks and it's a grand final?

 

[standupand]

Because nobody has done it AFAIK - nobody.

We are not the only club that has traded for a player eligible for FA.

I think that Jeremy Cameron is the only RFA who has had his deal “matched”, but there is not much we could have done about that.

So you're saying clubs have known about this but still don't do it?

Seems more likely to me they do do it but we just don't know about it.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I disagree - apart from the fact that re-signings of veterans are usually sealed by now, there is just maths to account for.

We currently have four realistically "useable" draft picks (up till p78), and four players on the regular list without a contract (Guthrie, Stevens, Bews, Wiltshire), given that Duncan is out and Worpel is in.

The only way that even one of those four gets to stay is if:

• We only take three draft picks this year, AND
• We don't upgrade Ted Clohesy.

I strongly suspect that the team will roll the dice on one of Stevens or Clohesy if one of those players is kept.

We might only take 2 picks 19 and 40 but the 3rd will be mellor so we will clear 3 spots. We would clear a 4th senior spot of we wanted to upgrade ted. Minimal picks this year as the draft is poor. Id rather take a bigger hand next year (minus whatever we trade for Butters.)

 

[Pure_Ownage]

There was a rumour that west coast have offered Ted a contract if he gets delisted

West coast have showed interest with their rookie picks. I think gc did with his brother there but he wouldn't get games there wce would be better for him.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I was thinking the same thing. Why would port be dumb enough to deal themselves out of the compensation pick? Works out better for everyone if they don't match and then clubs come to agreement on another trade which satisfies Port.

Because with the Cochran situation they are better off with multiple picks (even though you can only use 2 picks to match now if they get multiple picks for Butters they can use some to deal back into the draft once they have matched etc). I cant see them accepting a singular pick as compo they will match anything we offer (as they should).

 

[Pure_Ownage]

So why is Geelong not catching on to what everyone is doing? Is it true that we are still the only club to have traded for a free agent?

West coast just traded for starcevich.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

What's the latest with Toby Conway? He looked very impressive in 2024 but just couldn't get his body right this season, seems like the ruck spot is his for the taking if he's fit

Foot is badly injured possibly cooked. Hes lucky he has a contract.

 

[Mr Meow]

I reckon you gotta be 2x cuts above VFL level to be ok.

Not too far off. 53% who are 1.5x cuts above VFL level make it.

 

[Lana]

Because nobody has done it AFAIK - nobody.

We are not the only club that has traded for a player eligible for FA.

I think that Jeremy Cameron is the only RFA who has had his deal “matched”, but there is not much we could have done about that.

We had the ambition to chase a better class of player and the misfortune not to pull them from a cellar dweller

West coast just traded for starcevich.

They had a pick 2 to preserve.

 

[year of the cat]

This kid looks handy if we want a mid.

 

[D BRIDGE]

Not too far off. 53% who are 1.5x cuts above VFL level make it.

Seems about right.

 

[Warhorse]

I reckon you gotta be 2x cuts above VFL level to be ok.

Its not as simple as looking a cut above the level. It's about having a game that translate to AFL as well.

Outside runners in particular can look nowhere near it at VFL level and its really hard to gauge.

 

[The rabbi]

Toby Conway, in the queue for the treatment room

The big difference is that Conway is still very young while Guthrie the elder is almost my age.
And I retired last Christmas.

 

[D BRIDGE]

Its not as simple as looking a cut above the level. It's about having a game that translate to AFL as well.

Outside runners in particular can look nowhere near it at VFL level and its really hard to gauge.

No doubt it's easier to know with inside types.

Holmes was far from killing it in the twos, but it was easy to tell that he had gears and it was only a matter of time with him.

Mannagh was having games of 40 and 4 goals... Dempsey was taking the Mickey also when he was in the magoos.

Not a lot of gears with these Clark, Stevens, Clohesy types.

 

[The rabbi]

Yes.

Personally have my doubts any of Stevens, Clohesy, Knevitt make it. The PF and GF gave me some hope for Clark.

I don't think Knevitt is likely to make it as a mid, but I could see him as a defender.

 

[iameviljez]

Yes. No guarantees they make it but they looked a big cut above the rest around the contests.

I don't think Clohesy has the class or composure to make it at AFL level. And if Knevitt is going to make it it's likely to be in a more outside roaming wing role. He's just too static, fumbly and reactive on the inside.

I reckon you gotta be 2x cuts above VFL level to be ok.

Its not as simple as looking a cut above the level. It's about having a game that translate to AFL as well.

Outside runners in particular can look nowhere near it at VFL level and its really hard to gauge.

Yep. AFL level is the only level of football where the ability to win the footy is just not enough.

Blokes like Boyd Woodcock, Hayden Scholithe, Dom Brew, Jye Bolton, and even our very own Mitch Hardie and Charlie Constable found the footy at will at state level, could no doubt keep doing so at AFL level, but it's not enough.

 

[Del216647]

West coast just traded for starcevich.

Only because they didn't want it to affect their Allen compo, though.

It will happen again next year if Butters nominates us as a RFA. I doubt he does, though.

 

[The rabbi]

Cameron Nairn

"Nairn grew up on a cattle and sheep farm in Freeling, around an hour from Adelaide."

He was born to be a Cat.

https://central.rookieme.com/afl/player/cameron-nairn/

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Only because they didn't want it to affect their Allen compo, though.

It will happen again next year if Butters nominates us as a RFA. I doubt he does, though.

I think it will be us or the dogs (ie i dont think butters wants a Melbourne metro club) so we are a 50/50 chance if we are prepared to pay as much money as the dogs.

 

[iameviljez]

So why is Geelong not catching on to what everyone is doing? Is it true that we are still the only club to have traded for a free agent?

West coast just traded for starcevich.

Yeah, this is very common. Brisbane traded for Jack Gunston for the same reason (so that they didn't dilute the Dan McStay compo).

 

[Lana]

Yep. AFL level is the only level of football where the ability to win the footy is just not enough.

Blokes like Boyd Woodcock, Hayden Scholithe, Dom Brew, Jye Bolton, and even our very own Mitch Hardie and Charlie Constable found the footy at will at state level, could no doubt keep doing so at AFL level, but it's not enough.

Not all of them are equal, but as a group I think those guys are hurt by a lack of promotion and relegation.

When teams know they are shit, they don't fight for every scrap of immediate value. It not as if they wouldn't be capable of playing a game at AFL level, they're just not a/the optimal choice over non-extremely short period of time. If the different between 16th and 17th was staying in the AFL then I think that lower performing clubs would prefer to a game to a 27 year then an fresh draftee.

But otherwise the normal transition to a midfield role in the AFL doesn't come from being a midfielder in the VFL. if a player could provide any value in an AFL team in a role they'd get a shot, the ones left behind usually over specialised inside players, the ones with an cm of explosiveness get a rookie shot.

 

[bombersboy]

Anyone got access to the Addy for excerpts from their assessment of Falcons boys seasons? Article from about 5 days ago

Interested to see what they said on Mellor, Rongit, Mooney, Riccardi and Cooney

 

[thegerman]

What's the latest with Toby Conway? He looked very impressive in 2024 but just couldn't get his body right this season, seems like the ruck spot is his for the taking if he's fit

In sure you’ll have another response, however, navicular fracture. Likely restructure of the foot, out a long while.

 

[iameviljez]

Not all of them are equal, but as a group I think those guys are hurt by a lack of promotion and relegation.

When teams know they are shit, they don't fight for every scrap of immediate value. It not as if they wouldn't be capable of playing a game at AFL level, they're just not a/the optimal choice over non-extremely short period of time. If the different between 16th and 17th was staying in the AFL then I think that lower performing clubs would prefer to a game to a 27 year then an fresh draftee.

I do agree with you, but I would hate to see a promotion/relegation system in Australian Rules.

That said, I think teams really, really underestimate the value of a good solid mature midfielder when they are getting smashed week-in week-out. There's a lot to be said about the character of blokes who make a huge success of sweating it out for years at state level, too.

 

[CatsDoItBetter]

I know he’s recovering from injury but I hope we draft Rongit, even as a rookie pick. He’d be better in our system as he’s recovering plus he plays an area we need players and good to reward the nga system when we can.