Geelong delist father-son Oscar Brownless after one season but will redraft him as a rookie
Geelong has made the shock decision to delist father-son recruit Oscar Brownless, son of Billy Brownless, after just one season with the club — and it’s all part of the Cats’ grand plan.
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Geelong’s determination to use four selections in the national draft has consigned first-year midfielder Oscar Brownless to a precarious existence on the rookie list.
The Cats officially delisted key position swingman Lachie Henderson after several weeks of speculation despite a strong AFL preliminary final.
They believed Harry Taylor was more suited in a role as a key back, meaning 29-year-old Henderson will now try to reignite his career at a fourth club.
Brownless is the son of club cult figure Billy Brownless, and had been taken at pick 74 on an initial two-year contract last November.
But despite finishing top-10 in the Geelong VFL best-and-fairest he and ruckman Ryan Abbott will be officially delisted.
The club will then use November’s rookie draft to put them back on the rookie list.
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It is by no means a career-ending decision but the Cats could have made the decision on another first-year draftee like Ben Jarvis, Jacob Kennerley or Jake Tarca.
The Cats will take selections 14, 17, 24 and 36 at the national draft, after securing Josh Jenkins and Jack Steven in the trade period.
Brownless is seen as one of the most impressive characters at the club and was happy to make the sacrifice in consultation with his family and management.
It means he must make every post a winner next year after 18 VFL games averaging 58 ranking points and 12.9 possessions as a hard-running midfielder.
The Cats on Wednesday elevated Zach Guthrie and Sam Simpson onto the senior list after the maximum three years on the rookie list.
Former Melbourne star Brad Green threw up Melbourne as a potential landing spot for Henderson on Twitter after the Demons let Sam Frost go.
Wonder if @melbournefc will pick up Lachie Henderson. Good character, leadership and can play both ends. #demons20/20
— Brad Green (@bradgreen18) October 30, 2019
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Cats list manager Stephen Wells thanked Henderson after four years at the Cats playing 54 games after 117 games with Brisbane and Carlton.
“Lachie filled a number of roles with us and we wish him well in his future,” Wells said.
“Lachie has shown himself to be a selfless clubman and a great teammate over his time with the Cats. He helped us win a lot of games and always took up whatever role we needed him to do.”
Originally published as Geelong delist father-son Oscar Brownless after one season but will redraft him as a rookie
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