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

 

[lettheboysplay]

MJ: I'd be happy if George Stevens gets just half the opportunities that have been granted to Jhye Clark but then again he wasn't a no.8 draft pick. One would have thought his got off to a good start receiving Brownlow votes in one of the two AFL games that he's played including a staggering 14 score involvements but nah the club decides to delist then rookie him. I seldom disagree with the club but that one was a real head scratcher, yet all is good with Oli Wiltshire, strange days indeed.

Feels like you've got a vested interest here. We all love the young cats, but the fact every other club had an opportunity to draft/rookie George before we did is a pretty sure bet the rest of the comp knows he has some glaring deficiencies. I've watched him play a bit of VFL and he seems to always to blow up late in games. A fair bet he won't be at the club in twelve months. Bookmark it.

 

[Hinkley29]

Hinkley20: excluding George's lack of real pace what other limitations does he have? He's only 20yo, so his endurance will build to a competent level in time and with George's two AFL games this year he has deservedly received Brownlow votes in one game against a seasoned and mature Tigers midfield, including having 14 score involvements which was phenomenal performance for a young player only playing his first AFL game (something that Ted Clohesy could NEVER DO). And yes admittedly, he played poorly in the other AFL game against the GWS but being such a young and inexperienced player he'd learn plenty from that.

Hinkley20: the game still very much requires the strong bodied inside contested midfield player, 'the extractor' like a Lachie Neale who like George also lacks pace but Lachie is one high-class inside mid and that part of our game requiring players of this nature will never change. George in the VFL repeatedly gets high contested possessions and is perpetually in the best players and as previously stated and more importantly, George was also one of the best on the ground in one of his two AFL games. I for the life of me cannot see the knock on George Stevens with just about everyone here on Geelong BigFooty given up on him, yet he's absolutely done nothing wrong.

Obviously for the club to delist him at seasons end and bring him back as a rookie are warning signs, I just hope the club hasn't given up on George like most here, coz I still give George an excellent shot at being a highly competitive AFL player if given a fair opportunity which does require patience and 'length of time' which is absolutely no difference to any other young AFL prospect wanting to make a name for himself in this great game of ours in Aussie Rules.

Gabba Greatness - we will likely never agree on this, you are a George admirer, I am not. I don’t particularly want to get into another scenario where you tell me that I am clueless about players so I will just suggest that we agree to disagree and move on.

One point I would make though - not only did Geelong delist George, but every team in the league passed on him in the recent drafts in what was widely considered a very poor draft class. Unless every team in the league is wrong (including Geelong), then the consensus is that George won’t make it. I am sure that if it eventuates that way that you will apologise for your disrespectful comments you made toward me in our previous interactions.

Good day sir.

 

[Hinkley29]

Hard to think of a more apples to apples comparison than Clohesy and Stevens - they’re inside midfielders who lack the step of pace necessary to jump from state leagues to the AFL. Ted pretty clearly hit his ceiling, remains to be seen if Stevens has (probably).

I was thinking more about how long they have been in system, and the fact that Ted is a more flexible player than George.

But if you think of Ted as primarily an inside mid, then you are correct - it would be apples to apples.

 

[geelong_crazy26]

Gabba Greatness - we will likely never agree on this, you are a George admirer, I am not. I don’t particularly want to get into another scenario where you tell me that I am clueless about players so I will just suggest that we agree to disagree and move on.

One point I would make though - not only did Geelong delist George, but every team in the league passed on him in the recent drafts in what was widely considered a very poor draft class. Unless every team in the league is wrong (including Geelong), then the consensus is that George won’t make it. I am sure that if it eventuates that way that you will apologise for your disrespectful comments you made toward me in our previous interactions.

Good day sir.

I can’t see any of your comments about Steven’s disrespectful, but valid concerns over his capabilities.

I personally don’t see how Steven’s improves on any of his deficiencies with longer time in the system. His issues are predominantly god given and quite a large deficiency

 

[Footy Smarts]

Gabba Greatness - we will likely never agree on this, you are a George admirer, I am not. I don’t particularly want to get into another scenario where you tell me that I am clueless about players so I will just suggest that we agree to disagree and move on.

One point I would make though - not only did Geelong delist George, but every team in the league passed on him in the recent drafts in what was widely considered a very poor draft class. Unless every team in the league is wrong (including Geelong), then the consensus is that George won’t make it. I am sure that if it eventuates that way that you will apologise for your disrespectful comments you made toward me in our previous interactions.

Good day sir.

But the same applies to Clohesy right?

It's fair to say no team was particularly taken by either of them. Only Geelong wanted either in their list and they chose Stevens.

 

[Hinkley29]

But the same applies to Clohesy right?

It's fair to say no team was particularly taken by either of them. Only Geelong wanted either in their list and they chose Stevens.

Fair point.

I suspect that the only reason they eventually kept George over Ted is because Ted is older. I think it was a mistake.

 

[Mr Meow]

I would still take him over either of those options.

Noted.

 

[geelong_crazy26]

It may well be going that way PO: but if your good enough then you'll get games, especially midfield extractors coz they're priceless and I don't see anybody saying to Lachie Neale he shouldn't be getting games because of his non athletic capabilities. If your good enough to play AFL, then you'll play but for some who don't fit the going norm then they've gotta be ultra good.

Lachie Neale is a lot faster and explosive than George stevens is. Comparing the two is apples and oranges

 

[iameviljez]

Matching contract offers is not a Consideration for Geelong as it is never part of our pitch.
Players considering Geelong are not doing it for the money.
You come to Geelong for success, lifestyle, coaching and good money.

Butters will choose Cats because of the lifestyle it affords, the location to his preferred living arrangements the potential for success and the coaching available.

He will choose Dogs because of the money and location.
I don't see Walsh wanting Cats, he strikes me as more a money and city person.

Didn’t we try it for Cameron?

 

[CHAWKS2]

To back you up, Zuthrie played 1 game in his 3rd year at age 21, 3 games at 22 and 13 games in his 5th year at 23. Atkins was not even on an AFL list until 24 yrs old.

That is what I am hoping for with Mitch. I admit that I am bias but...if he takes that path and can play a dozen (good) games this year, he could explode at some point.

As others have said he might just be lacking something but I remain hopefully given what he can offer

 

[jim boy]

he has deservedly received Brownlow votes in one game against a seasoned and mature Tigers midfield, including having 14 score involvements which was phenomenal performance for a young player only playing his first AFL game

That's the thing, it was hist first game. Richmond would have done no homework on him and had no plan for him, that is a big advantage for first-gamers, but it only lasts one game. Come week 2, GWS will have reviewed the Richmond match and made a plan for him, principally to exploit his lack of pace.

 

[Kobe Gryant]

That is what I am hoping for with Mitch. I admit that I am bias but...if he takes that path and can play a dozen (good) games this year, he could explode at some point.

As others have said he might just be lacking something but I remain hopefully given what he can offer

I just hope he brings the intensity to AFL level. I admit I'm not a huge fan of his, but I also don't think he's without talent.

He's got size, height, and a decent handball game to release players. His skills are okay, he can run all day, and his speed is actually pretty good - although he doesn't seem to show it at AFL level.

It all seems to click at VFL level where he knows he's got his opponent covered, but he plays at AFL level like he doesn't think he belongs.

For him, the biggest thing will be about backing himself. Get moving at stoppages instead of standing flat footed.

Dive in and get the footy because you're bigger and stronger than your opponent, and if you back yourself, you can beat them to the pill.

Things like that that we see at VFL level from him, but haven't seen in the seniors as of yet. There's no doubt the game is faster at the higher level, but he's not helping his cause by slowing down either.

If he can do that, he's a chance to make it IMO. If he can't, we might just have a good VFL player on our hands who can't bridge the gap.

 

[CHAWKS2]

I just hope he brings the intensity to AFL level. I admit I'm not a huge fan of his, but I also don't think he's without talent.

He's got size, height, and a decent handball game to release players. His skills are okay, he can run all day, and his speed is actually pretty good - although he doesn't seem to show it at AFL level.

It all seems to click at VFL level where he knows he's got his opponent covered, but he plays at AFL level like he doesn't think he belongs.

For him, the biggest thing will be about backing himself. Get moving at stoppages instead of standing flat footed.

Dive in and get the footy because you're bigger and stronger than your opponent, and if you back yourself, you can beat them to the pill.

Things like that that we see at VFL level from him, but haven't seen in the seniors as of yet. There's no doubt the game is faster at the higher level, but he's not helping his cause by slowing down either.

If he can do that, he's a chance to make it IMO. If he can't, we might just have a good VFL player on our hands who can't bridge the gap.

I am worried that you are correct. But hopeful you are not!

I am not as worried though about intensity. I actually think that is how it comes across rather than a desire for the contest. What I am concerned about has been his seemingly lack of ability to get the ball out of the contest. Ie. he can get his hands on it but seems to be a split second behind in terms of disposal. So gets caught a lot. I reckon he gets many more dispossessions than disposals.

I am hopeful that will correct itself with confidence, strength or experience. However it may well be that he doesn’t have “afl reaction time”. I look at so,e “slow players” who look quick as they are quick minded.

If I compare to why Dempsey seemed to move forward as opposed to Mitch that would be a big factor. Ollie seems to be doing something with the ball as soon as he gets it. He rarely gets wrapped up. Now sometimes that can look bad (panic and even not going hard in as he is thinking about getting it clean and not hard). But in afl I am convinced speed of mind is as important as other characteristics

If Mitch can turn possessions into quick disposals I think he will be very exciting. IF.

I am biased to be fair. I really like the boy. He is a cats type of player. Humble. Hard working. team first. Appreciative. Of course in the end he needs to go up a level for afl I agree

 

[GlenMiddlemissed]

Knevitt has something that none of our upcoming mids have. We have relied on Danger and Blicavs to give us that marking option around the ground, and even in today’s faster paced game, marking is just as important as it ever was. The few seconds after a mark is the one time a team has control of the ball, the rest of the time it is either in dispute or out of play. A strong marking option for the backs to clear the ball out to is also so valuable (jeez we are going to miss Blicavs).

Looking at our mids over the next few years when Danger and Blics have gone, we currently have Holmes, Smith, Atkins, Bruhn, Worpel with help from Miers, Mullin, Bowes and Mannagh. A really strong athletic group, but all are 5’9” to 6’2” and none are good marks in a contested situation, and completely out of it in a pack situation. Dempsey is the one exception, although a bit light for pack marks (unless he sits on top of the pack). Knevitt is the one mid who can take a strong contested mark. We have to find a way to utilise this talent of his.

 

[Tony Barber]

Knevitt has something that none of our upcoming mids have. We have relied on Danger and Blicavs to give us that marking option around the ground, and even in today’s faster paced game, marking is just as important as it ever was. The few seconds after a mark is the one time a team has control of the ball, the rest of the time it is either in dispute or out of play. A strong marking option for the backs to clear the ball out to is also so valuable (jeez we are going to miss Blicavs).

Looking at our mids over the next few years when Danger and Blics have gone, we currently have Holmes, Smith, Atkins, Bruhn, Worpel with help from Miers, Mullin, Bowes and Mannagh. A really strong athletic group, but all are 5’9” to 6’2” and none are good marks in a contested situation, and completely out of it in a pack situation. Dempsey is the one exception, although a bit light for pack marks (unless he sits on top of the pack). Knevitt is the one mid who can take a strong contested mark. We have to find a way to utilise this talent of his.

He won't make it.
Someone like Danger can run anywhere and take a contested mark.

Knevitt just sits still.

 

[Warhorse]

He won't make it.
Someone like Danger can run anywhere and take a contested mark.

Knevitt just sits still.

He is a decent athlete but his brain is a tad to slow for AFL level. Makes him look treacle at AFL level.

He did play as a forward at times as a junior and looked capable but he would be well down the pecking order in that position.

 

[CHAWKS2]

He is a decent athlete but his brain is a tad to slow for AFL level. Makes him look treacle at AFL level.

He did play as a forward at times as a junior and looked capable but he would be well down the pecking order in that position.

I am hoping you are wrong with first sentence but that is how it currently looks…Again I am hopeful confidence will mean take a few more risks in terms of disposal (ie. that the “slowness in brain” is more caution)…IF (a big if) he did become a bit quicker in decision making then I do think the rest of what he offers is good enough…

If he was 183cm and not a top 3 runner in the club he would already be off the list…but I do see why they continue to persist…and hope they get the response

 

[Pure_Ownage]

He is a decent athlete but his brain is a tad to slow for AFL level. Makes him look treacle at AFL level.

He did play as a forward at times as a junior and looked capable but he would be well down the pecking order in that position.

I would like them to try him as a marking defender personally.

 

[dudusmaximus]

I would like them to try him as a marking defender personally.

Interesting! Elaborate when you're able/willing..

 

[catswhiskers]

Interesting! Elaborate when you're able/willing..

Not wanting to put words in POs mouth but... playing behind the ball ala Zuthrie does seem a good option.

Stewart is not getting any younger. If/when Knevitt plays VFL I would play him at half back.

The VFL defensive stocks have been poor and would benefit greatly. If he clicks we have another defender to step up when Kolo/ Stewart retire.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Interesting! Elaborate when you're able/willing..

I've been on this train a while.

He is 193cm so same height as Kolo, Harry Taylor etc. His contested marking has been really good though hasn't been in the right spots often enough to show it at senior level. His kicking when not under pressure is great. His flexibility also means that if a player goes down somewhere he can slot into a wing role or even sneak forward. Would be a waste of his running capacity but he aint using it at the moment anyway.

We've never played him there, and he's been too skinny for a role as a 1-1 defender to this point, so it's hard to know if it will work, bit I think he has the raw materials.

I said this time last year that if he didn't make it as a mid in 2025 we need to put him in the backline for 2026

 

[GlenMiddlemissed]

I've been on this train a while.

He is 193cm so same height as Kolo, Harry Taylor etc. His contested marking has been really good though hasn't been in the right spots often enough to show it at senior level. His kicking when not under pressure is great. His flexibility also means that if a player goes down somewhere he can slot into a wing role or even sneak forward. Would be a waste of his running capacity but he aint using it at the moment anyway.

We've never played him there, and he's been too skinny for a role as a 1-1 defender to this point, so it's hard to know if it will work, bit I think he has the raw materials.

I said this time last year that if he didn't make it as a mid in 2025 we need to put him in the backline for 2026

I’m on the train with you.

Knevitt seems passive and lacking confidence in the midfield, at AFL level. He tends to hang back and let others he probably sees as better than himself get the ball, making him look slow and hesitant. In the backline, you can’t hang back and let your fwd get the ball, you are forced to go for it, so it could be the turning point for him. And as you say, he is a perfect height for that 3rd tall role.

 

[CatRiot]

Knevitt has something that none of our upcoming mids have. We have relied on Danger and Blicavs to give us that marking option around the ground, and even in today’s faster paced game, marking is just as important as it ever was. The few seconds after a mark is the one time a team has control of the ball, the rest of the time it is either in dispute or out of play. A strong marking option for the backs to clear the ball out to is also so valuable (jeez we are going to miss Blicavs).

Looking at our mids over the next few years when Danger and Blics have gone, we currently have Holmes, Smith, Atkins, Bruhn, Worpel with help from Miers, Mullin, Bowes and Mannagh. A really strong athletic group, but all are 5’9” to 6’2” and none are good marks in a contested situation, and completely out of it in a pack situation. Dempsey is the one exception, although a bit light for pack marks (unless he sits on top of the pack). Knevitt is the one mid who can take a strong contested mark. We have to find a way to utilise this talent of his.

I thought Knevitt would become a medium forward with his marking, but tbh, I think his set shot kicking and foot skills overall are just average... They might need to turn him into a defender...

 

[D BRIDGE]

I thought Knevitt would become a medium forward with his marking, but tbh, I think his set shot kicking and foot skills overall are just average... They might need to turn him into a defender...

We can list of a bunch of things Knevitt is solid at.

Running tank, height, overhead grab.

In the end IMO the biggest thing he lacks is 1: Class and 2: Killer instinct.

Can't ever seeing him ever being anything but a fringe-level player, in any position.