Geelong

[soupman]

Ah didn't see that. Not sure why saints didn't deal. I honestly thought part of the TDK free agency push was so they could bring a guy in for free, and cash in the other guy for picks.

I think Geelong saved that offer for very late, in a kind of "well you don't have time to say no" manoeuvre. I think that, plus if Saints want to improve they can't let their direct competitor improve, made it less likely.

Regardless both Marshall and TDK are decent as key forwards, and with King being stupid injury prone, they'll probably need whichever one of the two rucks isn't rucking to help provide structure.

[GVGjr]

This is the tough side of football

Geelong axe Ted Clohesy while making rookie promise to George Stevens and Keighton Matofai-Forbes

Geelong fans have blown up over a decision to delist and then re-rookie promising youngster George Stevens.

The Cats announced their latest list changes on Wednesday, confirming that Ted Clohesy would not be offered a new contract, while Stevens and Keighton Matofai-Forbes were also delisted.
But the club added it was “committed to re-drafting” Stevens and Matofai-Forbes in next month’s rookie draft.
7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary shared details of the news on social media, explaining that the pair would be “open to all other clubs” in that draft before Geelong’s selections.

So, despite the promise by the Cats, other clubs could actually take Stevens from under their nose (signing him as a delisted free agent or in the rookie draft).

That risk has not sat well with Geelong fans, given the 20-year-old Stevens, a local, has showed plenty of promise since being drafted in 2023.

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Stevens has only featured in two AFL games, but in Round 17 this year he sparkled with a 21-disposal effort (and a goal) as the Cats destroyed Richmond at GMHBA Stadium (the performance secured him a vote in the Brownlow Medal).

“Why are they f****** Stevens around??” one fan raged after the news broke.

“Stevens should receive a lifeline on a senior list,” another said.

And another: “Massive error.”

And another: “Yep this club has officially lost it.”

Another suggested Stevens would be “off to Essendon”.

The rookie draft order, like the national draft, is determined on reverse ladder position, meaning Geelong will have the second last pick given it finished second on the ladder.

And unlike the national draft, it is not possible to trade rookie picks so clubs cannot climb up the order (except when a club passes on a pick).

Meanwhile, Geelong thanked Clohesy for his services, after a year where he finished seventh (from 11 games) in the club’s VFL best-and-fairest count, and runner-up in the award in 2024.

Geelong football manager Andrew Mackie said Clohesy had been “a positive impact at the club and a consistent performer at VFL level.

“We would like to thank Ted for his contribution to our football program and wish him all the best in the future,” Mackie said.

[Jasper]

Stevens trained with us in his draft year didn't he?

[hujsh]

Hope someone else snipes him

[GVGjr]

Stevens trained with us in his draft year didn't he?

Yes, for 2 weeks back when we were training at Skinner Reserve.
He was working though a knee injury.
From what I was told we had considered him with our last pick in the draft but when our pick came we had O'Driscoll ahead of him.
His lack of genuine leg speed works against him.