Geelong Cats trades: Ollie Henry, Tanner Bruhn expected to join the Cats, while Sam De Koning pitches for his brother Tom

Premiership defender Zach Tuohy said the club’s culture of success was an enticing prospect for recruits, with the Cats reportedly in line for a busy trade period.

MELBOURNE, SEPTEMBER 24, 2022: 2022 AFL Grand Final between the Geelong Cats and Sydney Swans at the MCG. Mark O'Connor and Zach Tuohy celebrate the win. Picture: Mark Stewart

PREMIERSHIP defender Zach Tuohy has backed Geelong to continue bringing in big-name recruits, declaring the Cats a destination club.

Tuohy said the club’s culture of success was an enticing prospect, with the Cats reportedly in line to bring young guns Tanner Bruhn and Ollie Henry to top up a list bursting with talent.

The Geelong products Ollie Henry and Tanner Bruhn after being drafted. Both players are expected to request trades to the Cats in the off-season. Picture: Alex Coppel.

“We’ve always got along really well, the club has done a really good job in bringing in guys that have similar goals and values,” he said.

“That’s one of the reasons why we’ve been able to stay so competitive over the years.

“This year has been super enjoyable, we started a little bit slow but we could see as a group that what we were trying to do would work, even if it wasn’t working perfectly at the start.

“Everyone at the club is like a brother to me, that’s what is so amazing and attractive about Geelong as a club, everyone on and off the field gets along so well and I think that’s what attracts people to come, then keeps them here.”

Tuohy, who left Carlton for Geelong at the end of the 2016 season, is just one of a number of players recruited from other clubs to chase success at the Cats.

Irishmen Mark O'Connor and Zach Tuohy celebrate the win. Picture: Mark Stewart

Pat Dangerfield (Adelaide), Isaac Smith (Hawthorn), Jeremy Cameron (GWS), Gary Rohan (Sydney), Tyson Stengle (Richmond and Adelaide), Rhy Stanley (St Kilda) all played in Saturday’s grand final after being drafted elsewhere.

Dangerfield collected 10 Norm Smith votes in the victory against Sydney for his 27 disposals, nine clearances and six goal assists and added his first premiership medal to his glittering collection.

He was announced the Gary Ayres award winner for the best individual finals campaign, polling 12 of his 22 votes in the grand final.

Geelong lost in the race for the signatures of outgoing Giants duo Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper, but a family household recruiting drive has begun to lure a big Blue down the highway.

MELBOURNE. 16/07/2022. AFL. Round 18. Carlton vs Geelong at the MCG. The De Koning brothers. Sam De Koning of the Cats and Tom De Koning of the Blues after todays game. Photo by Michael Klein

Defender Sam De Koning said he hoped to see his brother and Carlton ruck Tom De Koning join him in the hoops soon.

“I always say to him that he should come down to Geelong, the lifestyle is so good,” he said.

“He’s always loved his surfing, we surf together sometimes so that would be cool to have him down here.

“The great thing about being here is that the coaches and the club gives you the responsibility to do things your own way a bit, and I think that’s what some guys love about coming and playing here.

“The culture is so great, everyone is a brother on our team and everyone treats each other like family.”

Originally published as Geelong Cats trades: Ollie Henry, Tanner Bruhn expected to join the Cats, while Sam De Koning pitches for his brother Tom