McCarthy keen for new start

OUTGOING Geelong small forward Lincoln McCarthy says a fresh start was a key factor in his move to Brisbane.

Plagued by injuries across his seven-years with the Cats, McCarthy was officially traded to the Lions yesterday.

He went north with two of Geelong’s mid-range draft picks (54 and 57) and netted his former club picks 42 and 60.

The Cats quickly on-traded the earlier of those two picks to Carlton, which enabled them to secure South Adelaide teenager Nathan Kreuger.

McCarthy, who has signed a three-year contract, said he was thrilled to be able to call Brisbane home and was looking forward to working with new coach Chris Fagan.

“We have been working on this trade for some time so it’s great it is now official,” McCarthy said.

“The new environment is a fresh start for me and I’m looking forward to having a crack.”

The Cats were active players on the opening day of the trade period yesterday and were involved in conversations with several clubs, notably Sydney to discuss Gary Rohan and the two West Australian clubs regarding Tim Kelly.

Geelong list manager Stephen Wells said Rohan, who like Luke Dahlhaus is being targeted to bolster its forward pressure playing stocks, was likely to end up in blue-andwhite hoops by the time trade period concludes.

“We had a good discussion with Sydney today, so I am confident we will get Gary Rohan in,” Wells said.

MEANWHILE, Geelong father-son prospect Bailey Scott yesterday nominated North Melbourne as his preferred club for 2019.

Scott, the son of former Geelong rover Robert, had been linked to Gold Coast, where he was eligible as an academy selection, but opted to go with the Kangaroos, where his dad played in the 1996 premiership.