AFL Draft 2023: Who Geelong should consider in this month’s intake

Geelong has prized picks up its sleeve and plenty of holes to fill. Who will be available and who should the Cats target? We take a closer look.

Geelong has finalised its playing list and there are plenty of holes to fill ahead of the draft.

With players like Norm Smith medallist Isaac Smith retiring and several players including goalkicking supremo Tom Hawkins in the twilight of their career, the Cats have the chance to plan for the short-term and the long term at this year’s AFL draft.

While Esava Ratugolea may be difficult to replace, the Cats were able to increase their draft hand in the trade, leaving them with picks 8, 25, 76, 87 and 94.

Geelong’s midfield, key position stocks and outside run are all areas that it should look to address if the right players are available.

See who could be around the mark and who they should take.

Daniel Curtin could slide to Geelong’s pick. Picture: Getty Images

PICK 8

If Dan Curtin slides to Geelong’s selection, the West Australian MVP is a no-brainer. Curtin would be a serious upgrade on Esava Ratugolea as an elite interceptor with great ball-use and decision making that has even played through the midfield this season at 197cm. The Cats are crying out for an inside ball-winner and Ryley Sanders, who won the Larke Medal as the best player at the national championships, would fit the Cats’ needs perfectly but he is unlikely to be left when the Cats are on the clock. With Tom Hawkins and Gary Rohan both in the twilight of their career, powerful 193cm forward Nate Caddy has significant appeal as a versatile forward who can break games open in the air and at ground level. Caddy, who has drawn comparisons to Blues spearhead Charlie Curnow, has a family tie to the club as the nephew of Josh Caddy, who played 71 games for the Cats. If Caddy is already taken, then versatile 198cm tall Connor O’Sullivan be an ideal pick-up. O’Sullivan settled in defence this year and can address the club’s key defensive deficiencies right away, possessing a ready-made frame and a great tank. The Cats have also been linked to Murray Bushrangers wingman Darcy Wilson, which makes sense after Isaac Smith’s retirement. Like Smith, Wilson is a running machine – finishing second in the 2km time trial (5:42 minutes) – but also has a great leap and can be a dangerous forward half threat.

Nate Caddy completes the agility test at the draft combine. Picture: Getty Images

George Stevens celebrates a goal for Vic Country. Picture: Getty Images

PICK 25

This range of the draft is murky given the talent pool is very even in the second round of the pool, and Geelong’s selection at 25 is likely to drift out several spots due to father-son and academy bids. If the Cats don’t take a midfielder with their first selection, on-baller George Stevens is a prospect who could have an immediate impact. The South Warrnambool product has already played for Geelong’s VFL side and fitted in comfortably, tallying 29 disposals in his second VFL match. Local Geelong West product Angus Hastie, a 189cm defender who provides run and drive off halfback and can also perform lockdown roles, would help fill the void of Zach Tuohy in time. There are a number of other defenders who could be available in the second round, including Tew Jiath, the brother of Hawthorn playmaker Changkuoth, South Warnambool defender Luamon Lual or Sandringham Dragons distributor Archie Roberts. Or how about breakout VFL defender Sam Clohesy, the brother of Geelong NGA graduate Ted? Clohesy, who played senior football for St Joseph’s in the Geelong FNL last year, was crowned as the best young player in the VFL in 2023 after an impressive season for grand finalists Werribee. It might be a touch early, but the Cats have gone with mature-agers at this range of the draft before. If the Cats don’t take Caddy at pick eight, a marking target like Archer Reid (203cm) – who may be off the board – or Logan Morris (191cm) could assist in filling the gaping hole left by Tom Hawkins and Gary Rohan in the future.

Sam Clohesy after winning the 2023 Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal. Picture: Getty Images

PICK 76, 87 AND/OR 94

It’s hard to know who will be available at this stage of the draft, but they will definitely slide in significantly. Clubs like Gold Coast, Hawthorn and Western Bulldogs have a host of back-end picks that will be swallowed up by bids for academy and father-son prospects, and many clubs will only use 2-3 selections in a draft that is widely regarded as shallow.

But the Cats and recruiter Stephen Wells are renowned for finding diamonds in the rough, and there are several local talents who should be available late in the piece.

One of those is medium forward Michael Rudd, who would have been on the cusp of All-Australian selection if he didn’t miss the final game with injury. While concerns have been raised over his speed, the St Mary’s prospect has a huge engine and strong hands overhead that could allow him to play a role similar to Collingwood premiership player Brody Mihocek once he develops.

Michael Rudd could be available later in the draft. Picture: Getty Images

Other local Geelong prospects who may be available include opportunistic small forward Tom Anastasopoulos and Morrish medallist Patrick Hughes. Anastasopoulos, from Newtown & Chillwell, tested strongly in the 2km time trial and has good goalkicking nous, booting an accurate 21.2 for Geelong Falcons in the Coates Talent League.

Hughes has his knocks, but his work clearance work and contested ball-winning is first class, and the Torquay product is an option worth considering for the Cats late in the draft or as a rookie.

If Geelong doesn’t take a key defender earlier in the draft, Cats VFL defender Bailey Van De Heuvel could prove to be a worthwhile pick-up. Van De Heuvel was invited to the state combine and his competitiveness and intercept marking ability at 200cm stood out in the back-half of the season in particular.

Originally published as AFL Draft 2023: Who Geelong should consider in this month’s intake