AFL trade period: Blake Schlensog linked with move back to Geelong

A former Geelong rookie, who was only delisted last year, is a chance to be redrafted by the Cats after a standout season in the WAFL.

Geelong is considering recruiting former player Blake Schlensog, 12 months after delisting him.

Schlensog, 21, is available as a delisted free agent after enjoying a brilliant season in the WAFL with South Fremantle, where he was one of the competition’s best players.

Geelong and Richmond are among the clubs to have inquired about the key-position prospect.

Schlensog’s manager, Tim Hazell, said his client was capable of playing at the highest level.

“He’s certainly one of the better key defenders outside of the AFL,” Hazell told the Geelong Advertiser.

“ (He) has really matured, worked on his game and is really deserving of another opportunity at AFL level.”

The 199cm tall played at both ends of the ground this year and impressed as a forward and defender.

He also shone for Western Australia in a state game against South Australia in an AFL audition in May.

Schlensog had attracted interest ahead of this year’s mid-season draft but was overlooked.

He averaged 6.75 marks a game for South Fremantle and impressed with his intercepting ability.

Schlensog in a VFL game for Geelong. Picture: David Smith

In round 15 against Swan Districts he had 19 disposals, took nine marks and kicked four goals to showcase his versatility as a swingman.

He also nailed five goals against Peel Thunder a fortnight later.

Schlensog was named on the bench in the WAFL Team of the Year but missed South Fremantle’s grand final last weekend through injury.

The Geelong Falcons graduate, who played his junior football with Belmont Lions and Grovedale, was delisted by the Cats last year without playing an AFL game.

The Indigenous talent was recruited in 2018 as a category B rookie as a Next Generation Academy selection.

His final year at GMHBA Stadium was impacted by the cancellation of the VFL season because of Covid, but he has been able to display his upside with a full season of state league football in the west.

Schlensog could be selected as a delisted free agent or through any of the national, rookie or pre-season drafts.

It’s expected more will be known about Schlensog’s AFL fate this week.

The trade period finishes on Wednesday at 7.30pm.

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Originally published as AFL trade period: Blake Schlensog linked with move back to Geelong