A number of clubs are unhappy with Geelong’s posturing so far in the trade period, according to former Collingwood recruiter Matt Rendell.
The Cats are attempting to pull off three big coups, with Jack Bowes, Ollie Henry and Tanner Bruhn all indicating they want to continue their futures at Kardinia Park.
But it’s a difficult balancing act for new Geelong list manager Andrew Mackie, who is reportedly keen to keep his first round picks both this year and next.
That could see Geelong hit the National Draft with pick 7 (received in the Bowes trade) and pick 18 just weeks after claiming the premiership, but Rendell has cast doubt over the likelihood of those trades getting done.
“I’m not sure it’s a certainty… to get done next week if it keeps playing out as it is playing out at the moment,” he told AFL Trade Radio’s The Late Trade.
“Geelong has offered Collingwood pick 38 for Oliver Henry. That’s way unders. Way, way, way unders.
“They are low-balling Tanner Bruhn, a former pick 12, as well. They want to keep hold of their pick 18 and supposedly their pick 7.
“Obviously Gold Coast want something for next year in return for Bowes, they’ve got to give something back for next year. I don’t know exactly what that will be but it’ll be at least a future second from Geelong for that deal to get approved.”
He said further: “Andrew Mackie is doing the trading for the first time and not Stephen Wells. There are a few clubs not happy with how they’re going about their business.
“Wellsy just got deals done and they were all win-wins, and that’s what you want.”
Wells is still involved at Geelong as the club's recruiting manager.
As Rendell notes, both Henry and Bruhn are former first round picks whose value has not diminished after just two years in the AFL. Therefore, he says, the Cats should stump up.
“Collingwood gets pick 18 and Bruhn is (worth) a first rounder next year, because it (Geelong's 2023 first pick) is going to be right up the top again. That makes a lot of sense, it seems easy, but Geelong doesn’t want to pay it,” he added.
“Can those two clubs (GWS and Collingwood) call their bluff and not do a deal unless they come to the party and send them to the pre-season draft, of which neither player will get to Geelong. They can nominate terms, (but) there will be plenty of clubs who will lap them up.”
Former Carlton list manager Stephen Silvagni admitted the behaviour appeared “unlike Geelong”.
The situation is made further complex by Geelong so far blocking Esava Ratugolea’s reported intent to join Port Adelaide. The 24-year-old is an untapped talent having played just 59 games in six years at Geelong, but is believed to still be highly rated by the Cats.
It’s seen Geelong put a higher value on his trade than the targets they’re trying to bring in.
“So at the same time, Ratugloea wants to go to Port Adelaide. He’s got a year to go on his contract… Geelong wants way better than they’re offering for Henry and Bruhn, for a bloke who only played a few games this year,” Rendell said further.
“He’s been there six years and can’t quite get in, he’s not going to get in next year either as I see it.
“He wants to go to Port Adelaide and Geelong wants a really high pick for him (a first rounder).”
The Cats are reportedly keen to turn pick 7 into Jhye Clark, a Geelong Falcon who is rated as one of the best midfielders in the draft.