Thurlow, Murdoch and Menzel told to check options
GEELONG has advised Jackson Thurlow, Jordan Murdoch and Daniel Menzel to explore opportunities with opposition clubs in this month’s trade period.
The future of the three outof-contract Cats remains up in the air and none of the trio at this stage have been offered new deals.
There remains a possibility one, two or all three players could be at the club next year, but the latter scenario has become increasingly unlikely.
Thurlow was in and out of the side this year, managing seven games. He was left frustrated by the lack of opportunities at senior level.
Having been taken by the Cats with pick 16 in the 2012 draft, he has played 46 matches and is understood to have attracted some early interest from the Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast.
He would likely join teammate Lincoln McCarthy if a deal was done with the Lions, with the Cats to accommodate the small forward’s request to seek a fresh start under Chris Fagan.
Midfielder George HorlinSmith seems set to earn a new start at the Suns, but fellow free agent Menzel, who kicked 15 goals in the opening five games before a groin injury sidelined him for three months, is yet to find any willing suitors.
It had been reported St Kilda was keen to acquire Menzel as a free agent, but it is believed its interest in the star forward has since waned.
The Saints will be active players in the trade and free agency period and will attempt to strike a deal for Sydney midfielder Dan Hannebery.
They have also been linked to Greater Western Sydney star Dylan Shiel as well as Melbourne youngster Dean Kent and Richmond fringe player Jacob Townsend.
A number of deals are expected to be completed on Friday when the free agency period starts, with Western Bulldogs forward Luke Dahlhaus expected to officially nominate Geelong as his club of choice by the end of the week.
The Cats will also work with Sydney to facilitate a trade for speedster and former Geelong Falcon Gary Rohan, who has declared via his manager that, if he levaes the Swans, he only wants to come to Geelong.