pre season draft

[catta29]

With Rawlings and Stevens being automatic selections in the pre-season draft it leaves Geelong with a relatively high pick. Any ideas of whether Geelong will go after a recycled player (ie a Shane Harvey etc) or draft another kid. It surprised me that when they printed lists of all clubs and who was training with them Geelong didn't have anyone. Anyone heard anything or have any ideas?

 

[ScouseCat]

I reckon we'll probably pick a young kid like we did with Brent Moloney in last year's pre-season draft.

 

[One-eyed Tiger]

I reckon Harvey will still be available when Geelong have their pick.

Melbourne will take Read and Richmond will take Weller/Marsh/Seymour.

 

[jim boy]

I wouldn't read anything into no delisted players training with Geelong. Moloney was training with West Coast last year, but we picked him up anyway.

I'm fairly ambivalent about Harvey, don't see him adding much to the team.

Wouldn't be surprised or disappointed if we pass in the PSD.

Actually a pass is a top idea as that would give the selection committee room to promote a rookie (eg. Shannon Byrnes) during the season.

 

[holdencaulfield]

Bomber said after the draft that we would pick either Motlop or Harvey , probobly Motlop.I would rather Harvey out of those 2 only 20 seems to have scope for improvement , we could do with a crumbing forward .

 

[BigCat1]

I'll be sick if we draft Motlop. I'm sorry but the guys a hack. Will add nothing to our team.

Shane Harvey is the obvious choice except that he wants to play for North. He did barrack for Geelong as a kid and if we took him as our 38th player he would have to come around. I mean very few guys with less than 10 games to their name get a third club!

I'd take him. At least he has the potential to be a great pickup. Same cant be said for Shannon.

 

[bulletproof]

Seems to be a change in thinking from on draft day when Bomber said they would not overlook Shane Harvey, then again maybe they are playing their cards close to their chest.


Not a lot of options for Cats in pre-season draft

Friday, December 5
DAVID DAVUTOVIC

ANOTHER kitten looks set to join Geelong with a shallow pool of experienced players on offer in the pre-season draft.
Cats' coach Mark Thompson said the club was likely to follow last year's example when it drafted Brent Moloney.

Aside from Jade Rawlings and Nick Stevens, who will be snapped up by Western Bulldogs and Carlton with the first two picks, there's little in the way of experience.

Clubs with bargaining power have worked feverishly in recent weeks, trying to lure uncontracted players - including Robert Copeland, Ryan Houlihan and Ray Hall - but all re-signed, leaving the draft somewhat bare.

``That's exactly our plan, we were hoping that a few more would drop out, but as was the case last year there will be little fallout at all,'' Thompson said.

``We're a little bit unsure at the moment, there's not many options left out there - there's still a little bit of work to do.

``We'll probably go for the best player there and more than likely if there is a good tallish-type player, we might take him.''

Seasoned key-position options are scarce, leaving 25-year-old St Joseph's forward Aaron Greaves as arguably the only suitable option.

At 197cm and 96kg, Greaves is physically ready to play at AFL level and has been training with Geelong's VFL squad for over a month.

``We've paid a bit of attention to Greavesy, he's been around the club a bit and he trains here occasionally and we'll certainly consider him,'' Thompson said.

The Cats have ruled out drafting delisted Demon key-position player Luke Molan, who will almost certainly be rookie listed by his old club.

The ex-Geelong Falcon was Melbourne's first pick in the 2001 national draft, but was axed after a wretched run with injuries, including a knee reconstruction and broken shoulder last season.

Although there's no recycled players training with the Cats' senior list, the VFL squad has a number of new faces.

Six Falcons are trying their luck, including James Allan and Luke Buckland, alongside five VAFA players and GFL stars John O'Brien, Will Handley and Paul Sullivan.

 

[BigCat1]

If we are looking for a young tall then Will Gayfer has to be the man. I can't understand why we was overlooked in the draft. The kid can seriously play. Was by far the best bushranger in the TAC GF.

Thompson's quotes in the article seem to suggest that guys like Motlop and Harvey are now off the list.

Vote 1 - Will Gayfer. Make it 2 from 2 in the PSD

 

[GeeCat]

Wouldn't mind Gayfer. Also would like Jacob Surjan, Ben Clifton, Ben Cosgriff in the mix.

Although there's no recycled players training with the Cats' senior list, the VFL squad has a number of new faces. Six Falcons are trying their luck, including James Allan and Luke Buckland, alongside five VAFA players and GFL stars John O'Brien, Will Handley and Paul Sullivan.

Just like I predicted. Falcons like Allan and Buckland set to play for us in the VFL. Then we can draft Allan up next year

 

[freakshow]

allan and buckland and those falcons boys won't being playing with the Geelong VFL team if they don't get rookied.

 

[GeeCat]

Originally posted by freakshow
allan and buckland and those falcons boys won't being playing with the Geelong VFL team if they don't get rookied.

What makes you say that?
They can still play as top-up players.

 

[OldSchool]

Originally posted by BigCat1
I'll be sick if we draft Motlop. I'm sorry but the guys a hack. Will add nothing to our team.

I'm a little surprised that you don't him. You may not need a player like him but for the right team, Motlop could be a good addition. There does not appear to be many teams keen on Harvey, would he fit the Cats needs ?

 

[BigCat1]

Originally posted by OldSchool
I'm a little surprised that you don't him. You may not need a player like him but for the right team, Motlop could be a good addition. There does not appear to be many teams keen on Harvey, would he fit the Cats needs ?

I think he would. However if you read the article above Thompson said we are looking for a tall.

 

[OldSchool]

Originally posted by BigCat1
I think he would. However if you read the article above Thompson said we are looking for a tall.

Greaves has some ability and plenty of size but I would be concerned that he might be a bit to old to bring him into the team. Would Michael Johnson fit the Cats needs ?

Did himself no favour at the WA state screening by showing up in a fairly unfit shape but he has plenty of ability and with a good pre-season he could be an option for a few senior games.
Played as a key defender in WA this year and performed well and at 193cm he is big enough to hold down a key position at the AFL level. Not sure if any team will take a gamble on him but they could pick up a fairly good player. I think Carlton might be interested in him.

 

[Falconer02]

Jacob Surjan,Chris Stewart or Nathan Foley/Pat Travers.

 

[BigCat1]

Originally posted by OldSchool
Greaves has some ability and plenty of size but I would be concerned that he might be a bit to old to bring him into the team. Would Michael Johnson fit the Cats needs ?

Still rather Gayfer. The kid just has something about him. I don't think he'll be a star just a good honest player. Kinda like the way Harley goes about it. Smart, tough, reads the play well and provides a bit of drive

Your point about Greaves is valid. He is mid 20's and needs to step up at a VFL level first before he gets a crack at AFL. It would be just too big a gamble IMO with lists so small these days.

Ps Falconer I believe Steward is too young to be taken in the PSD. Surjan is also out if you believe Thompson quotes. Foley/Travers/Allan/Buckland are all in line for that 2nd rookie spot. I will be very surprised if we don't pick up 1 local kid. Also the club has recentely interviewed Ben Clifton. Could be rookie spot there somewhere

 

[OldSchool]

There is an age restriction on the rookie draft but I am not aware of there being one with the PSD. Cosgrif is well worth a club selecting. Gayer missed a spot because of his lack of geiuine fitness. For the Pies to overlook him is not a great sign.