North Melbourne champion David King believes Geelong is the AFL's new destination club following a busy off-season whilst taking in several depending factors.
King suggested Hawthorn were the go-to club several seasons ago, but with their premiership bid fading, so does there ability to lure big-name players.
Speaking on what makes a destination club, King said multiple factors apply.
“I think it can shift depending on what sort of premiership opportunity you’re providing,” he told SEN Breakfast.
“So Hawthorn traditionally in the last decade have been able to grab players pretty comfortably, it’s a lot tougher now.
“So outside of premiership opportunity, what else is there? Is it the facilities? Is it the environment?
“I look at the West Coast Eagles, they’ve got that new facility at Lathlain that I think is absolutely unbelievable, they’ve got opportunities outside of football being a two-team town.
“The Swans, players want to go there because their role is guaranteed, they’re getting you for a specific purpose. There’s a predictability to the way they play because they haven’t changed in eons.”
After an exchange period that saw Jeremy Cameron, Shaun Higgins and Isaac Smith opt for Kardinia Park, King explained why the Cats' hospitality ranks above their rivals.
“I think Geelong right now are the number one destination club for a whole host of reasons,” he said.
“And I think the actual area of Geelong, the new-look Geelong, it’s the boom, everyone wants to live there, they’ve got the beaches around the corner, they’ve got the lifestyle without the hustle and bustle and I think there’s a real attraction in that.
“I do think Geelong now with their ability to offer the lifestyle, it’s something that’s thrown into the mix that’s totally different.
“Jeremy Cameron would’ve looked at that and said ‘my boat can be a kilometre down the road and I’m away from football straight away’.
“I think the coach (Chris Scott) is very flexible in the times he wants these players at the football club.
“I hear Patrick Dangerfield talk all the time how they treat their players like they’re family. Every decision is made around freeing up as much time as they possibly can have and getting away from football.
“I do think the Geelong lifestyle is something other clubs are having trouble contending with.”
Since 2015, the Cats have added the likes of Dangerfield, Lachie Henderson, Scott Selwood, Zach Tuohy, Gary Ablett, Gary Rohan, Luke Dahlhaus, Jack Steven, Josh Jenkins and their latest start trio via free agency and trades.
