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

 

[catempire]

Slow over all distances and lacks agility as well. Would need to slim down further for agility improvements

I’ve been told he runs a sub 6:30 2km. That’s not an athlete that needs to slim down.

 

[Vdubs]

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

Another way to look at it is that Guthrie has not been exposed to any physical hardship footy wise for 3 years, so he might be well preserved. Will have to trust the club's assessment- they are not fearful of reminding those who look cooked to retire or go- Bartel, Kelly, SJ, Mooney, Stokes, Hawkins, Duncan just from memory, so if Guthrie C is on our list next year, he will be up for it. And if not, yes he was indeed cooked.

 

[Cataholic]

I’ve been told he runs a sub 6:30 2km. That’s not an athlete that needs to slim down.

Not bad.

Maybe it's his acceleration that creates the perception that he's too slow?

I can't comment because I've only seen him play the once.

 

[iameviljez]

I’ve been told he runs a sub 6:30 2km. That’s not an athlete that needs to slim down.

It's the agility and acceleration that hurts you, though.

 

[Vdubs]

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.

What were most thinking about Bartel when he first arrived, or even JCorey and Corey Enright. Some players do not look exceptional as juniors, but in the right environment...

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

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.

Ted is a Monty for the Atkins role IMHO.
Bonus is he can also go forward and kick goals as he has shown in the 2's
Atkins has a few years left so Ted could be a luxury to hold onto but I think he will be a useful AFL player.

 

[Vdubs]

Ted is a Monty for the Atkins role IMHO.
Bonus is he can also go forward and kick goals as he has shown in the 2's
Atkins has a few years left so Ted could be a luxury to hold onto but I think he will be a useful AFL player.

Sadly, players like him are too off the pace wrt class and skill when it comes to crunch finals against super teams like Brisbane. Agree that he is useful, but not inspirational or even reliable.
Butters would be great, as would someone like Errol Gulden.
We must have one elite mid as far as using the ball- Holmes and Smith are not in that category.

 

[cats_09]

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.

As an NGA eligible player, if we commit to him and he goes undrafted, we could pick him up as a CatB rookie - wonder if that's something we'd be looking at

 

[calder_daddy]

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

Jesse Mellor (South Barwon) ​

Forward/midfielder, 185cm, 4/1/07
Falcons stats: 111 SuperCoach points, 16.8 disposals, 6.3 score involvements, 4.3 tackles, 1.8 goals (13 games)
U18 Champs stats: 82 SuperCoach points, 11.0 disposals, 7.5 score involvements, 4.5 marks, 2.0 goals (4 games)
Mellor was arguably the Falcons’ biggest improver this year, earning U18 All-Australian selection and also showing great signs at VFL level. The Geelong Next Generation Academy prospect turned games in the midfield and up forward, including four goals and 19 disposals in their finals win over Bendigo. The powerful forward slotted three goals agaisnt South Australia and the Allies at the national championships and finished with two goals and 17 touches in his second VFL game for the Cats. Showed he doesn’t need a lot of the footy to have a major impact. Should attract a rival bid from the second-round onwards which the Cats can match.

Jagger Mooney (Newtown & Chilwell)​

Defender, 188cm, 6/7/07
Falcons stats: 46 SuperCoach points, 8.3 disposals, 3.6 intercepts, 2.6 spoils (9 games)
The son of Geelong great Cameron Mooney played at the opposite end to his dad as a lockdown key defender. A dedicated role player who does everything to beat his opponent and continued to work on the offensive side of his game. Injuries restricted him to nine games for the Falcons.

Boston Riccardi (Newtown & Chilwell)​

Wing, 180cm, 6/4/07
Falcons stats: 37 SuperCoach points, 8.0 disposals, 2.4 marks (5 games)
Riccardi, the son of Geelong great Peter and younger brother of former-listed Cat Osca, got opportunities early in the year where he showed his polish on the outside. A late developer who will build into his body.

Ben Rongdit (Colac)​

Defender, 184cm, 5/10/07
Falcons stats: 66 SuperCoach points, 11.0 disposals, 7.0 intercepts, 3.5 tackles, 1.5 intercept marks (2 games)
Highly-touted entering 2025 as a member of the AFL Academy, Rongdit has been cruelled by injuries over the past two years. The Geelong Next Generation Academy prospect ruptured his ACL in late May, expected to return midway through next yar, which followed a long-term ankle injury in 2024. Rongdit, who has South Sudanese heritage, has only played three games for the Falcons due to those injuries and his school football commitments. The athletic and tough defender shone at the U16 championships in 2023 and has shown exciting flashes at training and at APS level.

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

Not bad.

Maybe it's his acceleration that creates the perception that he's too slow?

I can't comment because I've only seen him play the once.

Could be an acceleration issue.
Also could be what you're doing when you take possession.
When I coached juniors I had 2 gun mids.
One was lightning quick , the other had decent pace.
The "slower" one always looked quicker with the ball as he was always on the move when he got it.
Hopefully George can do a bit of that and also quicken his pace off the mark this offseason.

 

[bombersboy]

Jesse Mellor (South Barwon) ​

Forward/midfielder, 185cm, 4/1/07
Falcons stats: 111 SuperCoach points, 16.8 disposals, 6.3 score involvements, 4.3 tackles, 1.8 goals (13 games)
U18 Champs stats: 82 SuperCoach points, 11.0 disposals, 7.5 score involvements, 4.5 marks, 2.0 goals (4 games)
Mellor was arguably the Falcons’ biggest improver this year, earning U18 All-Australian selection and also showing great signs at VFL level. The Geelong Next Generation Academy prospect turned games in the midfield and up forward, including four goals and 19 disposals in their finals win over Bendigo. The powerful forward slotted three goals agaisnt South Australia and the Allies at the national championships and finished with two goals and 17 touches in his second VFL game for the Cats. Showed he doesn’t need a lot of the footy to have a major impact. Should attract a rival bid from the second-round onwards which the Cats can match.

Jagger Mooney (Newtown & Chilwell)​

Defender, 188cm, 6/7/07
Falcons stats: 46 SuperCoach points, 8.3 disposals, 3.6 intercepts, 2.6 spoils (9 games)
The son of Geelong great Cameron Mooney played at the opposite end to his dad as a lockdown key defender. A dedicated role player who does everything to beat his opponent and continued to work on the offensive side of his game. Injuries restricted him to nine games for the Falcons.

Boston Riccardi (Newtown & Chilwell)​

Wing, 180cm, 6/4/07
Falcons stats: 37 SuperCoach points, 8.0 disposals, 2.4 marks (5 games)
Riccardi, the son of Geelong great Peter and younger brother of former-listed Cat Osca, got opportunities early in the year where he showed his polish on the outside. A late developer who will build into his body.

Ben Rongdit (Colac)​

Defender, 184cm, 5/10/07
Falcons stats: 66 SuperCoach points, 11.0 disposals, 7.0 intercepts, 3.5 tackles, 1.5 intercept marks (2 games)
Highly-touted entering 2025 as a member of the AFL Academy, Rongdit has been cruelled by injuries over the past two years. The Geelong Next Generation Academy prospect ruptured his ACL in late May, expected to return midway through next yar, which followed a long-term ankle injury in 2024. Rongdit, who has South Sudanese heritage, has only played three games for the Falcons due to those injuries and his school football commitments. The athletic and tough defender shone at the U16 championships in 2023 and has shown exciting flashes at training and at APS level.

Thank You.

 

[Warhorse]

I’ve been told he runs a sub 6:30 2km. That’s not an athlete that needs to slim down.

Slimming down was in the context of his agility.

 

[year of the cat]

I’ve been told he runs a sub 6:30 2km. That’s not an athlete that needs to slim down.

You are indeed correct. George doesn’t lack endurance. He can run all day. It’s his lack of acceleration that’s a potential issue for him. He’s physically not too dissimilar in profile to C.Ling.

 

[catempire]

It's the agility and acceleration that hurts you, though.

I was responding to a post suggesting he was slow in every way. He’s not.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Jesse Mellor (South Barwon) ​

Forward/midfielder, 185cm, 4/1/07
Falcons stats: 111 SuperCoach points, 16.8 disposals, 6.3 score involvements, 4.3 tackles, 1.8 goals (13 games)
U18 Champs stats: 82 SuperCoach points, 11.0 disposals, 7.5 score involvements, 4.5 marks, 2.0 goals (4 games)
Mellor was arguably the Falcons’ biggest improver this year, earning U18 All-Australian selection and also showing great signs at VFL level. The Geelong Next Generation Academy prospect turned games in the midfield and up forward, including four goals and 19 disposals in their finals win over Bendigo. The powerful forward slotted three goals agaisnt South Australia and the Allies at the national championships and finished with two goals and 17 touches in his second VFL game for the Cats. Showed he doesn’t need a lot of the footy to have a major impact. Should attract a rival bid from the second-round onwards which the Cats can match.

Jagger Mooney (Newtown & Chilwell)​

Defender, 188cm, 6/7/07
Falcons stats: 46 SuperCoach points, 8.3 disposals, 3.6 intercepts, 2.6 spoils (9 games)
The son of Geelong great Cameron Mooney played at the opposite end to his dad as a lockdown key defender. A dedicated role player who does everything to beat his opponent and continued to work on the offensive side of his game. Injuries restricted him to nine games for the Falcons.

Boston Riccardi (Newtown & Chilwell)​

Wing, 180cm, 6/4/07
Falcons stats: 37 SuperCoach points, 8.0 disposals, 2.4 marks (5 games)
Riccardi, the son of Geelong great Peter and younger brother of former-listed Cat Osca, got opportunities early in the year where he showed his polish on the outside. A late developer who will build into his body.

Ben Rongdit (Colac)​

Defender, 184cm, 5/10/07
Falcons stats: 66 SuperCoach points, 11.0 disposals, 7.0 intercepts, 3.5 tackles, 1.5 intercept marks (2 games)
Highly-touted entering 2025 as a member of the AFL Academy, Rongdit has been cruelled by injuries over the past two years. The Geelong Next Generation Academy prospect ruptured his ACL in late May, expected to return midway through next yar, which followed a long-term ankle injury in 2024. Rongdit, who has South Sudanese heritage, has only played three games for the Falcons due to those injuries and his school football commitments. The athletic and tough defender shone at the U16 championships in 2023 and has shown exciting flashes at training and at APS level.

I love having sons of our former players come through the club but if they've dropped Retshko for Boston or Jagger that's a bit average.

 

[Vdubs]

Is that the same as a few months ago though, where it's under the condition we match the Dogs money?

I don't doubt that he'd be happy to come here, but we need to pick up the tab for once, and if there's a player to break it for - it's Butters.

That's not just because he's available, either. If you could pick any player in the league right now who suits exactly what we need to win a flag, it's him.

Agree.
Have always also loved Errol Gulden; not sure he has fully recovered from ankle fracture, but he is a similar jet with elite skills and ball getting ability, but less likely to leave Swans than is Butters to leave Port

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I love having sons of our former players come through the club but if they've dropped Retshko for Boston or Jagger that's a bit average.

Id take rongdit before the 2 sons personally

 

[Joey JoJo Shabad]

Has the club even mentioned that they're interested in drafting any of the father son players who are eligible ?.

 

[iameviljez]

What were most thinking about Bartel when he first arrived, or even JCorey and Corey Enright. Some players do not look exceptional as juniors, but in the right environment...

Bartel was excellent from pretty much day one. Top ten pick, started in round one, had a couple of games where he was excellent before tiring in the back half of the year - where he still played in the VFL flag.

Took a hot second to live up to those expectations, but halfway through his third season it just "clicked" and he started dominating.

 

[iameviljez]

I love having sons of our former players come through the club but if they've dropped Retshko for Boston or Jagger that's a bit average.

Not if they only get rookied. Rookies do only get a year.

Frankly, if they saw AFL quality in Retschko, they would have kept him. I guess we now get to see whether they were wrong or not.

 

[Warhorse]

Really wish we grabbed Oliver. Will have a huge chip on his shoulder and will return to form imo

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Id take rongdit before the 2 sons personally

As would I and I hope we do. Two injury impacted years but he might have something to work with

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Has the club even mentioned that they're interested in drafting any of the father son players who are eligible ?.

They've done media with them but i think it was just a puff piece about having an academy system for them more than anything. Nothing specific said abiut the draft

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Really wish we grabbed Oliver. Will have a huge chip on his shoulder and will return to form imo

I'll be ready in the I was wrong thread but he looked like a guy who was done to me

 

[Generalissimo]

Frankly, if they saw AFL quality in Retschko, they would have kept him. I guess we now get to see whether they were wrong or not.

I think this is one that's going to come back and bite us.