Geelong Cats

If every AFL team could steal one player: Geelong Cats

Two promising Hawks, a classy Docker and a tall-timbered Blue makeup the list needs at Kardinia Park.

Published by
Trent Callen

With a faultless run in 2022 it is hard to imagine a conversation that involves Geelong searching for players to poach to help build a list greater than the one it already proudly boasts.

But, with the storied ageing list, we look at holes in the ground in need of filling.

During the Cats' off-season, they targeted former GWS draftee Tanner Bruhn, with the young rising star striking a deal, in return for a first-round selection.

Experienced campaigner Joel Selwood announced his retirement leaving a void in both the captaincy role and in the engine room itself, where he became a stalwart over a long period of time.

In this fantasy world, we throw contract talks and salary cap issues out the window, in naming four players that would slot into their current list, whilst drawing a verdict on only one as a solution.

List Needs

With the aforementioned ageing list still worn as a badge of honour amongst the Cats faithful, it raises a point worth noting, with needs surrounding a younger crop of talent at Kardinia Park.

The ruck stocks of Mark Blicavs and Rhys Stanley have been used sparingly for the majority of Chris Scott's tenure, with the pair forming a formidable partnership with their midfield group.

Weight however needs to be added in the depth department, with backup options in short supply, it calls for an eye to be run over the potential bolstering of their tall-timbered counterparts.

Key forward Tom Hawkins has shown his rucking prowess within the 50-metre arc, adopting the shove-out method and controlling many of the forward half stoppages within his vicinity.

Further afield, a glaring issue arises when scanning an eye across their defensive six setup, with a lack of run and carry ball users a problem hurting their rebound 50 game, with explosive power needed.

Zach Touhy is one that wears many hats in the Cats lineup, one of which includes the half-back position, but with the 33-year-old nearing the end, list management staff can circle that spot.

Hawkins is another in the same boat as Touhy playing on in the latter half of his career, with a depth key forward on the cards to fill the big shoes of the star 34-year-old when the time is right.

Here are the four players we think would be the perfect additions for Geelong.

Changkuoth Jiath

CHANGKUOTH JIATH
Defender
Hawthorn
2022 SEASON AVG
18.1
Disposals
4.5
Marks
3.1
Rebound50s

With cult figure status amongst the Hawthorn camp, Changkuoth Jiath would breathe new life into the Cats' defensive six setup, injecting pace and power by showing dare with ball in hand.

Jiath burst onto the scene deep into the 2019 season after originally being drafted as a Category B Rookie in 2017, the long learning curve has helped his career grow before our very eyes.

The hard-running flare the 23-year-old possesses has earned him recognition across the competition as a standout in his field, potentially sparking keen interest from Geelong to secure his highly sought-after services.

With his trade value taking a hit after an injury-interrupted 2022, Jiath still remains at the pointy end of the Cats' wish list, with Geelong in line to buy his shares as they continue to rise.

Tom De Koning

TOM DE KONING
Ruck
Carlton
2022 SEASON AVG
17.2
Hitouts
2.6
Marks
10.9
Disposals

Tom De Koning looms as another prized selection high on the agenda for the Cats' list management staff to mull over, with the potential to join his brother Sam De Koning in the blue and white hoops.

One of the game's rising stars in the ruck department, the 23-year-old carries the weight of promise on his shoulders with the Cats suited to lure the tall-timbered young man through the doors of Kardinia Park.

Standing at 203cm, the gentle giant plays with ferocious competitiveness, with the ability to act as a smaller more agile fourth midfielder at times during the centre bounces in the middle.

Adding strings to his bow as he gains more and more experience with games under his belt, De Koning presents as a lucrative target the Cats will be hoping can put pen to paper in a hurry.

Mitch Lewis

MITCHELL LEWIS
Forward
Hawthorn
2022 SEASON AVG
11.2
Disposals
4.8
Marks
2.5
Goals

Mitch Lewis enjoyed a breakout 2022 campaign, notching up a career-high 37 goals, blowing his next best out of the water following a handful of years of threatening to put his name up in lights.

With his ceiling greater than arguably any key forward rising through the ranks, the 24-year-old is still only scratching the surface of the levels the footy public knows he is more than capable of reaching.

Room in the forward half at the Cats will be opened up with retirements down the track, so Lewis will have to bide his time but will relish the opportunity of more efficient and cleaner entries inside 50.

Andrew Brayshaw

ANDREW BRAYSHAW
Midfielder
Fremantle
2022 SEASON AVG
29.3
Disposals
6.2
Tackles
3.9
Clearances

Andrew Brayshaw will be one under the Cats' consideration moving forward, with the 23-year-old now starting to throw his name in the conversation as one of the game's best in the engine room.

With the departed Selwood leaving a gaping hole, Brayshaw would stand tall to fill his shoes, working alongside the likes of Patrick Dangerfield, Cam Guthrie and Mitch Duncan at times.

Brayshaw will slot in effortlessly into the Cats' lineup and with a teachable attitude he'll adopt the game plan of head coach Chris Scott and mould into a Geelong midfielder in no time.

Verdict

Tom De Koning presents as a player that would be of the utmost importance for Geelong as far as a return on investment goes, with the 23-year-old's currency holding the greatest value.

Adding to the ruck stocks at the Cats is a high agenda item and one that can be ticked off with the inclusion of the Dandenong Stingrays product, as a staple piece in the middle for the best part of a decade.

With the tall-timbered duo of Stanley and Blicavs both on the wrong side of 30, the time seems appropriate to swear in an emerging talent to take ownership of the bright future ahead.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 19: Tom De Koning of the Blues marks infront of Aaron Naughton of the Bulldogs during the round 22 AFL match between the Carlton Blues and the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on August 19, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Published by
Trent Callen