HAWKINS NEEDS HELP
and Mitch Duncan will form the best midfield in the competition.
With Scott Selwood and Sam Menegola providing staunch support, and players such as Cam Guthrie and Jake Kolodjashnij more than able to hold their own, breaking into the Cats on-ball brigade will be a difficult task for established players let alone new ones.
Of course, this is on the proviso that the list stays fit and healthy, which nobody can foresee. In any case, given the way the modern game is played it never hurts to have more players capable of running through the middle of the ground and there is no shortage of options available to the Cats in this year’s draft.
Potential draft targets: James Worpel is the obvious selection if the Cats opt to go for a midfielder as he is a local kid who has achieved almost everything an underage player can in his time with the Geelong Falcons. Whether he is still available remains to be seen, but given his size, one thing for certain is that wherever he ends up Worpel will be ready to play AFL immediately. premiership window is open, and Dangerfield is expected to spend a greater chunk of time inside-50 as well.
But Hawkins will be 30 next year, so a genuine key forward who can develop alongside him and be ready to play the No.1 role in a few years would be helpful.
In the small forward department the Cats’ stocks may seem plentiful with Brandan Parfitt, James Parsons, Nakia Cockatoo, Lincoln McCarthy, Cory Gregson and Quinton Narkle but that group has had its issues with form or injury so it will be interesting to see how long some of them are around for.
Potential draft targets: Tom McCartin (Paddy’s younger brother) is a local and may be available at pick 22 or 24, although he may be gone by the time Geelong has its next pick at 35.
If the Cats want a key forward then he could be the man, although do not be shocked if Sam Dobson’s name is read out and Tasmania’s Hugh Dixon could be a surprise packet.
Gryan Miers kicked seven goals in the TAC Cup grand final and would be an obvious choice for a small forward.
Stanley provides the backup when Smith is out and Mark Blicavs and Buzza can pinch hit if necessary, while Ryan Abbott is there as a break glass in emergency option.
It was not all that long ago that the Cats were happy developing their own ruck talent, with Mark Blake, Trent West, Nathan Vardy and Dawson Simpson all coming through the draft, but the tendency for many clubs now is to rookie list young ruck prospects and mine opposition clubs and development leagues.
Potential draft targets: While it would come as a surprise for Geelong to go after a ruckman this year, South Australian youngster Callum Coleman-Jones looks like he will be a very decent player for years to come.