Geelong trade report card: Patrick Dangerfield trade has helped Cats stay near the top
PATRICK Dangerfield arrived but Gary Ablett departed, while some former Carlton defenders are now making their mark. SEE ALL THE MOVES
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GEELONG has been a power of the AFL for a decade, missing the finals just once since 2006.
That success can be attributed to several factors — good coaching, the development of its younger players and, of course, on-field talent.
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That crucial, third element is where recruiting guru and list manager Stephen Wells and his team come in.
Starved of early draft picks during their successful era — the Cats’ current list possesses just two players selected inside the top-10 (Andrew Mackie and Joel Selwood) in the national draft — has meant Wells and the Cats have had to look elsewhere to top up an already imposing line-up in their bid to stay at the pointy end of the ladder.
Like Hawthorn, their great rival over the past decade, the Cats have looked to free agency and trading to maintain their standing.
And with Geelong having increasingly become a “destination club” due to that success, convincing players to move to the one-time Sleepy Hollow has become easier.
But how have those acquisitions fared?
Coach Chris Scott took over a team already well-positioned and duly won a premiership in his first season at the helm.
But his strong mantra of keeping an eye on the club’s longer-term future has also meant some tough calls, which we’ll get to on this list.
Today we’ll take a look at the Cats arrivals and departures since Scott took charge at the end of 2010.
There’s been some huge wins and some losses too during the annual player exchange period.
But given the club’s overall standing during this time, it’s tough to argue the Cats have got many wrong.
CATS INS AND OUTS — DURING CHRIS SCOTT’S TIME
IN
JOSH CADDY (Traded by GC for Cats R1 compo and pick 57 - Kyal Horsley)
With Gary Ablett walking out at the end of 2010, the Cats looked for midfield strength to bolster Joel Selwood and the veterans. Caddy arrived to the delight of Cats fans and would play 71 matches across four seasons. He showed signs of going to the next level at times — his clearance and bullocking work a feature — but injury also hampered him at stages. Given the Cats gave a bit for him (one of the Ablett compo picks), probably didn’t deliver on what many thought he was capable.
HAMISH MCINTOSH (joined Geelong as a free agent)
Arrived at Simonds Stadium at the end of 2012 after being overtaken at North by Todd Goldstein and battling serious leg injuries. Earned a three-year deal and after regaining fitness was never able to lock down the no.1 ruck spot in which the Cats were trying to secure. Didn’t cost a pick but not a win.
JARED RIVERS (joined Geelong from Melbourne as a free agent)
Joined the same year as McIntosh and played 44 games across three years, finishing his career well. Fair to say he took a year learning ‘the Geelong way’ in defence, but got better and enjoyed a strong final two seasons. Overall a tick for the Cats.
MITCH CLARK (traded by Melbourne as part of Varcoe-Lumumba deal)
Arrived at the end of 2014. The Cats were aware of his physical and mental battles but took the punt. Unfortunately for both parties it didn’t come off, with the one-time Brisbane and Melbourne star playing just nine games across his two seasons — including just one in 2016 — for 14 goals.
SAM BLEASE (joined as a delisted free agent)
The highly-promising junior couldn’t put it together at the Dees and the Cats hoped his run and carry would add something. He wasn’t able to earn a regular spot, playing just one game in 2015 before a serious concussion unfortunately ended his career. Never got a good crack at it.
RHYS STANLEY (traded to Geelong for pick 21 Hugh Goddard)
A few eyebrows were raised when the Cats let classy Allen Christensen go for pick 21 before trading for Stanley with that pick. On balance, the Cats did OK out of the deal. Stanley is currently stuck behind an in-form Zac Smith as the Cats look to have settled on playing one ruckman, plus Mark Blicavs. Has looked superb at times in the ruck but, like during his time at the Saints, consistency has eluded him.
PATRICK DANGERFIELD
(traded for Dean Gore, pick 11 Wayne Milera and pick 33 Mitch Hibberd)
Cost a lot to bring him home, but gee he’s been worth it. Not much more to say about arguably the game’s most dominant player over the past 18 months. Milera will be a star for the Crows, too, which is some comfort for Adelaide fans.
LACHIE HENDERSON (trade for Geelong’s 2016 1st round pick — Jarrod Berry)
Forward or back, back or forward? The Cats have locked Henderson in down back and he’s been terrific in his one-and-a-half seasons in the hoops. His ability to take key position threats has allowed Harry Taylor to go forward. Cost a first rounder, but reliable key defenders don’t grow on trees.
SCOTT SELWOOD (joined as a restricted free agent)
‘Scooter’ joined his brother at the Cattery at the end of 2015. Injury didn’t allow him to get going in his debut season at Geelong but is currently the flavour of the month, raising awareness of the dying breed that is the AFL tagger. His pressure and stoppage work in three games has added extra grunt to the Cats’ midfield bunch. Looms as a decent win.
ZAC SMITH (traded for pick 41 Matthew Flynn and 45 Aidyn Johnson)
Started brightly, was in and out of the side for the remainder of 2016 and is now enjoying a career renaissance. Playing some of his best football and will take some forcing out from Stanley. Giving up two mid-range picks hasn’t hurt the Cats.
AARON BLACK (traded by NM for 5th round selection — not used)
This one’s still in its infancy, but really anything Black is able to produce at senior level is a win given he didn’t cost much. Can provide an extra option in attack and may even earn a promotion in round 13 given Tom Hawkins’ errant fist.
ZACH TUOHY (traded for Smedts, pick 59 Cam Polson and 2017 1st rounder)
Tuohy has fitted seamlessly into Geelong’s defence. Quick, a long kick and pretty tough one-on-one has meant Chris Scott has often gone to the former Blue for the tough jobs. May not read the game as well as the Corey Enright (who does?) but his presence has meant the loss of the now-retired ‘Boris’ hasn’t been felt as viciously as initially feared.
OUT
MITCH BROWN (delisted end of 2010)
Credit to Brown for reigniting a career that looked dead after stalling at the Cats. Was injury-prone and too light during his days at the Cats, but they say the big blokes take longer. Joined Essendon as a top-up and kicked on to earn another contract at the top level.
SHANNON BYRNES (joined Melbourne at end of 2012 as a free agent)
Byrnes left for the Dees at the end of 2012 after playing 108 games — including two premierships — at the Cats. Geelong thought his time was up and Byrnes went on to play a role for Paul Roos’ emerging team. Both clubs gained good service from the speedy forward.
NATHAN DJERRKURA (traded for pick 58 — Cats upgrade James Podsiadly)
The pacy, strongly-built Djerrkura couldn’t crack a regular game during his time at Geelong and it was a similar story at the Dogs.
JEREMY LAIDLER (traded to Carlton for pick 54 Jordan Schroder)
There was also a swap of 2nd round draft picks in this deal that helped Laidler kickstart his AFL career. Showed promise at the Cats but with third defender Andrew Mackie in his way, sought greater opportunity. Went on to be a solid servant for the Blues and now Sydney.
JOSH HUNT (traded to GWS for 5th round pick — not used)
Following the 2013 season the Cats opted not to offer the long-kicking defender another contract, but the Cats were only too happy to let the premiership player continue his career. Hunt’s big body went on to help the young Giants in their early years.
TRAVIS VARCOE (traded as part of Clark-Lumumba deal)
Collingwood was the clear winner from this deal. Varcoe was a great contributor during his time at Geelong but lacked urgency at times. Rediscovered his trademark defensive hunger under Nathan Buckley and has been a great acquisition for the Pies. Clark was a bust for the Cats.
JOEL HAMLING (delisted free agent, joined WB)
After slowly developing at Geelong, the Cats parted ways with Hamling at the end of 2014 as the lightly-built defender couldn’t force his way in ahead of the likes of Tom Lonergan and Harry Taylor. Joined the kennel where Luke Beveridge’s faith was rewarded with a premiership medal. Then the more lucrative offer came from the Dockers.
TAYLOR HUNT (delisted free agent — joined Richmond)
Played some important roles for the Cats during his time but when tagging went out of vogue, Hunt was a little lost. After the Cats chopped him he joined Richmond and while he’s been OK, isn’t a regular.
JAMES PODSIADLY (traded to Adelaide for pick 63 George Burbury)
Podsiadly’s elevation from rookie list to star goalkicker was a huge win for the Cats. He joined Adelaide after struggling to make as big an impact in his final seasons at Geelong. Was a handy back-up tall for the Crows but his best days were at the Cats.
DAWSON SIMPSON (free agent, joined GWS)
Was part of the big-man brigade at the Cats but was never able to secure a regular spot. Showed glimpses but his body let him down. Has been playing some good footy for GWS in the NEAFL, but hard to see him getting in front of ‘Mummy’.
TRENT WEST (traded to Brisbane for pick 41 — Jake Kolodjashnij)
Played in the Cats’ 2011 premiership but was offered a chance to go to Brisbane at the end of 2013 and took it. But played just 16 matches across three years — a knee reconstruction in 2014 hampering his progress. Kolodjashnij has now played 33 matches and is slowly consolidating his place in Geelong’s ageing back half.
DEAN GORE (joined Crows in Dangerfield deal)
Was rated at the Cats and close to an AFL debut on a couple of occasions, his contested work and kicking penetration a highlight. Yet to get a start in Adelaide.
ALLEN CHRISTENSEN (traded to Brisbane for pick 21 — Hugh Goddard)
The Cats nabbed pick 21 from this deal and then on-traded that to the Saints for Rhys Stanley. Of the three, Stanley, although having his injury battles, has arguably had the biggest impact but Zac Smith’s presence and current good form means the athletic big man must bide his time.
JOSH CADDY (traded to Richmond for pick 26 Brandan Parfitt)
As mentioned earlier, probably didn’t live up to the hope at Geelong despite some good performances. In the end the Tigers lured him up the highway with more cash and midfield time. Hasn’t yet set the world on fire at Punt Road but has added midfield depth. The Cats might have pushed harder for a better pick, but Brandan Parfitt showed plenty in the early part of 2017 before injury cut him down.
SHANE KERSTEN (traded to Fremantle for pick 60 Quinton Narkle)
Played 37 matches for the Cats after being drafted at the end of 2011. Geelong wanted and needed more support for Tomahawk, but Kersten never quite put it together despite showing his talent in patches. Is now a constant in Ross Lyon’s forward line, so the Dockers would take that with pick 60.
BILLIE SMEDTS (traded to Carlton as part of Zac Tuohy deal)
Was unable to make a decent contribution at Geelong despite the high hopes. Taken with pick 15, the Cats believed he was a special talent but injury hurt his time at Geelong, and when he did get a chance his disposal cost him. Now struggling to be a regular at the Blues.
NATHAN VARDY (traded to West Coast for pick 68 Timm House)
Another of Geelong’s big men who was cursed by injury. Showed enormous promise but never stayed on the ground long enough. Has been a good pick-up for Adam Simpson given he came dirt cheap — and his body is holding up so far.
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GARY ABLETT
No trade here, as he simply left the Cats as an uncontracted player to join Gold Coast at the end of 2010 — just as Chris Scott was set to arrive. Has furthered his reputation as one of the all-time greats. The big question is: will he return and finish his days in the blue and white hoops?
PAUL CHAPMAN (joined Essendon as a free agent)
This one caused a bit of angst with fans and was a tough call for the Cats. Geelong told ‘Chappy’ at the end of 2013 that it was looking to the next brigade. Essendon showed its interest and the veteran went on to play two seasons for the Bombers. Showed he still had a bit to offer in 2014 before slowing up.
STEVE JOHNSON (traded to GWS for 5th round selection)
Was among three veterans the Cats made a tough call on at the end of 2015. Enjoyed a superb 2016 with GWS and weighed up an assistant coaching deal in nthe off-season before signing on again with the Giants this year. Coming to the end but if he was at Geelong the likes of Menzel, Cockatoo, Lang, McCarthy and co wouldn’t have enjoyed the same regular game time.
JAMES KELLY (joined Essendon as a top-up player in 2016)
Still going strongly at the Bombers after signing off as a Cat — along with Stevie J and Mathew Stokes — at the end of 2015. Has showed he could still be a very handy player at Geelong, but the Cats are trying to get some games into their next brigade.
MATHEW STOKES (joined Essendon as a ‘top-up’ player in 2016)
Another of the hugely popular trio to farewell the Cats and then get another start. Was really handy for the Bombers in their hour of need.
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