We take a look at the AFL trades where Geelong missed the mark

Geelong’s list management team has done plenty right in recent years to ensure the Cats have remained an AFL power. But not every call has worked out. We look back at some they might want again.

David Haynes kicks a goal for the Cats.

It’s been a big trade period for Geelong, with the Cats receiving a mega haul of picks in return for new Eagle star Tim Kelly.

It will likely take several seasons to determine if the Cats ‘win’ the Kelly trade, with recruiting guru Stephen Wells saying Geelong may yet trade up, or simply head to this year’s draft armed with a strong hand.

But while Geelong has prospered in recent years by being aggressive during the free agency and trade periods, it hasn’t always been smiles at Kardinia Park.

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Jason Mooney struggled to have a big impact at the Cats.

SuperFooty is looking through each AFL club’s trade history, revealing the decisions that perhaps didn’t turn out as hoped.

Here’s a look at some of the Cats’ more forgettable trade moves.

1998 — JASON MOONEY FOR PICK 8

After a golden era featuring the likes of Ablett, Brownless and Stoneham, the Cats endured a lean period in attack as they searched high and low for key forwards (more on that shortly). But perhaps the acquisition of Swan Jason Mooney was one that, with the beauty of hindsight, stung the most. Mooney would play just 32 matches, while Sydney piked up eventual 300-gamer Jude Bolton. Lenny Hayes, Mark McVeigh and Adam Ramanauskas were drafted just after, while key froward Brendan Fevola was taken with the bargain basement pick 38.

Mitch Clark lasted two seasons at the Cats. Pic: Colleen Petch

2014 — MITCH CLARK FOR TRAVIS VARCOE

Asterisk beside this one as mental health and chronic soft-tissue injuries forced Clark from the game. But the Cats rolled the dice on selecting the former Lion and Demon, and it backfired as he managed just nine matches across two years. Clark was part of a three-way deal which saw Clark head down the highway from Melbourne, Varcoe join the Pies and Heretier Lumumba head to the Dees.

2009 — SHANE MUMFORD FOR PICK 28

There was little the Cats could do on this one as they watched Mumford take up an offer too good to refuse. But given the club’s ruck woes in life after Brad Ottens, seeing Mumford thrive north of the border must hurt. Mumford, then 23, had played just 23 matches in two years after progressing from being a semi-professional sausage-eater in Bunyip. The Swans came in with a four-year deal, as the Cats stuck with Ottens and father-son Mark Blake. However, there was a silver lining to the Mumford trade. While the Cats’ ruck issue was looming, Stephen Wells did use the Swans’ pick to select a young East Perth midfielder named Mitch Duncan.

Shane Mumford showed huge promise at the Cats, and the Swans swooped.

2000 — JUSTIN MURPHY FOR PICK 11

The Cats have brought in a few over the years who simply haven’t worked for varying reasons. Justin Murphy (for pick 11) in 2000 was one of those. Blue Murphy had managed just one game the previous year and Geelong, needing a class injection, coughed up their first selection to Carlton. It didn’t end well, the sour finish punctuated by Murphy’s show of displeasure towards teammate Darren Milburn after he collected Stephen Silvagni with a late, high bump late in the final home and away game of 2001. Weeks later, after 18 games for the Cats, Murphy was traded back to the Blues for pick 23.

MORE NEWS:

Geelong prepares for draft assault after building huge war chest through Tim Kelly trade

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AFL Trades: Geelong and West Coast agree on trade deal for Tim Kelly

THE EAGLES FORWARDS THAT BOMBED

Jason Mooney wasn’t the first, and he wouldn’t be the last. In 1997 the Cats handed West Coast pick 13 for Brett Spinks. The hulking key forward played just 19 games for Geelong — but did manage 35 goals — in one season. Eagles key forwards were a common theme for the Cats. In 2000 Mitchell White arrived in exchange for picks 27 (which became Swan Ted Richards), 45 and 57. White managed 23 matches and 21 goals in three years.

When he departed the Cats gave pick 20 (which the Eagles used to acquire premiership midfielder Sam Butler) for former Eagle David Haynes, who went on to boot 15 goals from 19 matches before departing at the end of 2005.

Mitchell White was a bit of a wipe-out at the Cats.

Originally published as We take a look at the AFL trades where Geelong missed the mark