AFL 2024: Geelong football boss Andrew Mackie sheds light on contract talks with unsigned Cats
Geelong has 23 players out of contract, and its football director has shed light on where contract talks sit with key players. Plus, a promising injury update ahead of their practice match.
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Geelong football boss Andrew Mackie said he is “at ease” with the contract situation of in-demand speedster Max Holmes as he enters the season without a deal.
Holmes, 21, is one of 23 Cats who come out of contract at the end of 2024 with 16 of those qualifying as free agents.
The blistering midfielder added another dimension to his game last season with more inside midfield exposure and Mackie flagged he could be used off halfback during the practice matches after being trialled in defence during match simulation.
Eight of Geelong’s eligible 2024 free agents are over the age of 30: Patrick Dangerfield, Cameron Guthrie, Tom Hawkins, Rhys Stanley, Gary Rohan, Jed Bews, Zach Tuohy and Mitch Duncan.
Among the list of eligible free agents are goalsneak Tyson Stengle, who qualifies after being previously delisted by Adelaide, and swingman Jack Henry.
Mackie, who was promoted to football director in September last year but still oversees Geelong’s list as part of an enhanced portfolio, also said he is in constant dialogue with Stengle and Henry.
He is “really confident” with where Henry’s contract negotiations sit in particular.
“It’s much talked about that we’ve got a large cohort of players that are out of contract. For the most part, obviously, there’s a bit to do with the age demographic there,” Mackie said.
“Every day when they walk into these four walls, what are we trying to create that hopefully make these decisions for players easier?”
“If they are playing every week and playing well, hopefully that is the case with Max that he gets a good run at it, that his body is in great shape, and he’s able to be the best version of himself, that’s all I really care about.
“The rest of that contract stuff, there’s ongoing dialogue there. Feel really at ease with where that’s at and always understand the questions and always happy to answer them.
“Jack Henry’s just wanted to come out and play and train really off the last couple of years where he’s had a few niggles, but he’s such an important player to us and he loves his time here. I feel really confident about where that’s at and the communication there.
“Stengle likewise, comes in for chat all the time about it. But to the guy’s credit they just want to play footy and I think what you don’t see is a great bunch of competitors that are willing to back themselves in and just get out there and perform for the team.”
Selection headaches loom for fit Cats as star in doubt
Geelong has close to a full complement available for selection for its practice match hitout with Carlton at Ikon Park on Thursday, with forward Gary Rohan the only senior player in doubt for round one.
Cats football boss Mackie said that just Rohan (back), Category B rookie Joe Furphy (foot) and developing ruckman Mitch Edwards (managed) were unavailable for the club’s practice match.
Rohan, who has had a back issue for the past month, took part in running away from the main group at a light session at Geelong’s captains run on Wednesday.
He and his wife Madi welcomed their first child last over the weekend.
Mackie said the lively forward has integrated back into the main group and that his recovery was looking promising, but said “time will tell” about a round one return.
“He’s had a bit of a back complaint over the last sort of month or so. It’s more about the load management side of things, making sure he gets enough training in to give him the best possibility to play well when he does when the season does come,” Mackie
“But he’s not too far away. It’s more managing that rather than an injury. He’s full training, doing everything, so we’re just keeping him back at this stage.
“Time will tell on (playing round one), still a few weeks to go but right now things looking okay. As I said he’s main training, always a good sign.”
Mackie said there was still uncertainty around how they would line up in front of a sellout crowd at GMHBA Stadium against St Kilda in round one, confirming the Cats will split their senior players between the eight segments on Thursday.
He is excited to see the return of important premiership Cats Cameron Guthrie and Jack Henry after injury interrupted 2023 campaigns as well as their draftees, like Shaun Mannagh and Connor O’Sullivan – the latter who could get thrown into the deep end against Carlton’s premier key forwards.
“He’ll (O’Sullivan) play tomorrow and play against some really good players in Harvey McKay and Charlie Curnow potentially. So there’s going to be some good match-ups for him,” Mackie said.
“Look, he’s a super impressive, young, talented player – as are a few of our guys that are first year players for us. Fortunately the availability has been really good for us. Time will tell in the next few weeks, there’s still a couple of games to play out.
“But at this stage, we couldn’t ask for anything more of a first-year player and the way he’s settled in and the development of how he’s going and whether it’s round one, whether it’s round 21 or not, we’re really confident we’ll have a really, really good future with us.”
“He’s (Mannagh) been impressive. He’s a great guy, fit in super well. Got he’s got his stuff together, he’s obviously mature age recruit, he’s been leading the way for the introduction of our younger guys that we did draft.
“So from that point of view, and his footy speaks for itself when the match play comes out, but hopefully we’ve got some depth in all positions and that high half forward and whether that be forward or mid, that’s no different.”
Another selection headache for Geelong coach Chris Scott is the emergence of big men Toby Conway and Shannon Neale.
Both have caught the eye in match simulation and are pushing for more senior opportunity in their third season.
Mackie said the selection pressure is a good problem to have and didn’t rule out the possibility of playing Neale alongside Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron up forward, or Conway with Rhys Stanley in a duel ruck set-up.
“They spend a lot of time just jumping into each other but Toby’s trending well but Rhys Stanley’s done everything right too, 16th pre-season, done a great job and continues to be a really solid contributor for us,” Mackie said.
“I don’t I don’t think there’s a lean either way at this stage but what I will say is like, as we’ve spoken about a few others there’s decisions to make for the coaches and that’s a great thing.
These games are important because of preparation, but they also can be a way that players really put their hand up and say ‘pick me’. The Rhys, Toby structure, whether we play both or not is a totally different discussion but that’s all also an option given that you’ve got effectively 23 players that you can use.”
Originally published as AFL 2024: Geelong football boss Andrew Mackie sheds light on contract talks with unsigned Cats
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