AFL grants Geelong another free kick at this year’s AFLW draft

GEELONG has already been handed the first two picks in the AFLW draft and now rival clubs are bracing for the Cats to sweep the best talent after being gifted further concessions.

Geelong’s Mel Hickey. Picture: Alison Wynd

RIVAL clubs are bracing for Geelong to sweep the AFLW draft after the league granted the Cats further concessions, with prospective players able to nominate Geelong as their preferred home in 2019.

The AFL has required potential female draftees to nominate a state or region they want to play in and when applications open on Monday for October’s draft, expansion club Geelong will have its own box.

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In the state-based draft, Victorian players will be able to opt to be drafted to regions including Geelong, Melbourne metro, or all of Victoria. Players can also nominate a different state to the one where they live in, if they’re happy to move.

While the concession has rivals concerned Geelong could land the top players by simply getting them to nominate the Cats, it’s understood the AFL will strongly police the rule.

Geelong coach Paul Hood with recruits Mel Hickey and Richelle Cranston.

The Cats draft rule is aimed at players who live in Geelong and don’t want to move away to play football.

Geelong already has the first two picks in the draft, followed by 11, 14, 15, 35, 46 and 57.

Rival clubs are also concerned the nomination rule will see Geelong use its later picks to secure local talent who would have otherwise commanded a higher pick in an uncompromised draft.

Geelong Falcons players Nina Morrison, Olivia Purcell and Denby Taylor are considered top five prospects, but if they nominate their home town the Cats can hold off calling their names until deep in the draft.

This could allow Geelong to secure hugely talented Calder Cannon Madison Prespakis

Prespakis doesn’t have to necessarily nominate Geelong, if she nominates all of Victoria the Cats can still take her with their No.1 pick.