Trade HQ: Check out all the big list calls facing Geelong this off-season

When the Eagles asked for Tim Kelly in a trade last year, the Cats put up a young Eagles’ name as a potential swap. And 12 months later, they will ask the same question should Kelly make the same request.

Tim Kelly is out of contract at the end of the season. Picture: Mark Stewart

When I first heard Geelong was chasing Luke Dahlhaus and Gary Rohan last off-season, I wasn’t sold on these moves.

But the sign of a good organisation is knowing exactly where you’re at — and the Cats knew better than anyone what they needed to ensure this group remained in contention.

All eyes will be on the Cats for a different reason this off-season when operation Keep Tim Kelly hits fever pitch.

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Obviously the club will do everything in its power to secure his signature, but in the event it fails, what will be Geelong’s next move?

I think the Cats would be wise to look for a second big body on the forward line to take some pressure off Tom Hawkins.

That is not a knock on Esava Ratugolea, who I think is on his way to being a good player.

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But when you’re chasing a premiership, you don’t always have the luxury of waiting for development to kick in. The time for this group to strike is now.

There has been some debate as to whether Gary Ablett should go around again in 2020.

In my opinion, this isn’t even a serious question. Bloody oath he should!

As long as Ablett is physically and mentally up for the challenge, the Cats can ignore his birth certificate.

Gary Ablett and Tom Hawkins continue to impress on the Geelong forward line. Picture: Getty Images

Until his output diminishes or someone else stands up and is doing enough to put pressure on his spot in the team, they would be crazy not to play him for as long as possible.

Geelong’s midfield versatility continues to impress me.

Earlier in the season, skipper Joel Selwood showed he is just as capable of making an impact when on the wing as when an inside midfielder.

And while Selwood is back to playing more on the inside now, young gun Jordan Clark has done a fantastic job in his first season. The Cats have a good one there.

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THREE PLAYERS CATS RECRUITERS ARE WATCHING

Jeremy Cameron

The Coleman Medal leader is a free agent at the end of next season and is being eyed as a potential co-pilot and successor to Tom Hawkins. Cameron may have to take a pay cut to move to Geelong but he will have the choice to move anywhere he wants as a free agent next year. If the Giants traded him this year they would ask for two first-round picks. Will be one of the league’s highest-paid players next season.

Jarrod Brander

The athletic 195cm key forward from Geelong Grammar/Bendigo was taken pick No. 13 by West Coast two years ago. When the Eagles asked for Tim Kelly in a trade last year, the Cats put up Brander’s name as a potential swap, but West Coast rejected that idea. The Eagles are still keen on Kelly, and the Cats still like Brander to help replenish their key position stocks.

Bradley Hill is a name to watch this off-season. Picture: AAP Images

Brad Hill

The gun outside midfielder would be a brilliant pickup for the Cats if Kelly chooses to go to Fremantle. Hill is one of the best and hardest-running wingmen in the league and would complement the hard nuts the Cats have on the inside. Hill’s partner has an interest in returning home to Melbourne three years after he left Hawthorn for Fremantle. At 26, he has plenty of good footy left.

THREE CATS RIVAL RECRUITERS ARE WATCHING

Tim Kelly

Geelong’s decision to keep Kelly to his contract at the end of last season, albeit against his family’s wishes, has been a masterstroke. The star midfielder has gone to another level this year and is now favourite for the Brownlow Medal. The Cats are hopeful he will stay, but if he does go, Geelong will be well-placed to demand plenty in return. One of the league’s best players.

Nakia Cockatoo

Cruelled by a shocking run of soft-tissue injuries, this x-factor midfielder-forward is another two weeks away from his long-awaited return. Chris Scott loves him and won’t lose faith, but there won’t be big dollars on his next deal. If the Cats offer a short-term deal, the door is ajar for another club to come over the top. But how do you know his body will stand up? If Kelly leaves, as expected, there will be an opportunity for Cockatoo to stand up next season in blue and white.

Zac Smith could be in his final stages at the Cats. Picture: Michael Klein

Zac Smith

His cards are marked at Geelong, after only four games in the past season-and-a-half. Darcy Fort has gone ahead of Smith and Ryan Abbott is there as well. It means Smith is up for grabs but his time may be up at the top level. Possibly Essendon, if Sam Draper leaves, but even that is doubtful.

RATE THE 2018 TRADE PERIOD

SCORE: 9/10

What a genius trade period it was from the Cats. They kept Tim Kelly and totally overhauled their forward line, adding Gary Rohan and Luke Dahlhaus. Rohan has re-ignited his career snagging 22 goals and Dahlhaus, who was on the scrapheap at the Dogs, has added some much-needed snarling tackling pressure. Dahlhaus was a free agent, so he cost the Cats nothing in a trade and Rohan was picked up in exchange for pick No. 61. Rohan has since looked like one of the most damaging forwards in the competition with his speed and defensive pressure working wonders alongside Tom Hawkins.

For all the discussion about Daniel Menzel’s departure, it hasn’t hurt the Cats as the forward has continued to have injury troubles. Jackson Thurlow and Jordan Murdoch were also let-go to other clubs. Lincoln McCarthy is the one that may make Cats’ fans wince, as he has overcome his dreaded injury issues up north at Brisbane. The Cats have always loved his talent in the forward line but just couldn’t get him right at the Cattery. All in all this was a near-perfect exchange period from Stephen Wells and his list management team.