Young stars linked in AFL trade talk to Geelong Cats

Speculation is rife that Tanner Bruhn and Ollie Henry will request a trade home to Geelong. But do the Cats want to bring them in?

Geelong has not gone after out-of-contract youngsters Tanner Bruhn and Ollie Henry, amid speculation both will push for a trade home in the off-season.

Reports have linked both GWS Giant Bruhn and Collingwood’s Henry to the Cats in the past week, with the two ex-Geelong Falcons players without deals for 2023.

Ollie Henry and Tanner Bruhn after being drafted in 2020. Picture: Alex Coppel.

The pair are highly rated and were both taken by their respective clubs with first-round picks in the 2020 AFL Draft.

A springy forward, Henry has kicked 28 goals in 25 games for the Magpies and is on the outer of the club’s best-22 as it continues a miraculous finals run, while Bruhn picked up more midfield time with the Giants this year.

Henry is the younger brother of important Geelong swingman Jack Henry.

Neither player has gone public with a desire to leave their respective club and Geelong hasn’t been told of any trade request.

The Cats plan to assess whether either or both would be a good fit for a trade once their finals run ends, and haven’t actively gone after Bruhn or Henry.

Ollie Henry at Collingwood training. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Tanner Bruhn takes a grab. Photo by Michael Klein

Both could still end up at the club over the off-season, but Geelong hasn’t gone after the youngsters like it did with Giants midfielder Jacob Hopper, who ultimately chose Richmond instead.

Bruhn and Henry are both 20 years old, and a first-round pick would likely requested from each of their clubs if they are to begin trade talks with the Cats.

Geelong kicked the tires on Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy before deciding to stand pat with its ruck division on Rhys Stanley, Jonathon Ceglar and youngster Toby Conway.

The interest in out-of-contract Magpie Jordan De Goey from the Cats has been minor.

Geelong was bemused to be linked to North Melbourne midfielder Bailey Scott, and he inked a two-year contract extension with the Roos on Wednesday.

Originally published as Young stars linked in AFL trade talk to Geelong Cats