With trade season well and truly upon us, it got us thinking about the Cats' most successful trades, so we've put together our top 10, with a few honourable mentions to round it out. Everyone loves a list, right?
Let us know what you think.
1. 1999 – Colbert Departs, a Dynasty Begins
Geelong RECEIVE: Picks 15 (David Spriggs), 17 (Ezra Bray), 47 (Corey Enright) and Cameron Mooney
Geelong GIVE: Leigh Colbert, picks 53 (Clayton Lasscock) and 67 Robert Shirley
It is hard to argue with any trade that involves one of the greatest defenders the game has ever seen, especially one that brought in two pieces that instigated a dynasty.
The Cats lost Leigh Colbert in 1999, but collected pick 47 which turned into 332 game club champion Corey Enright. Enright would go on to win three premierships, two Carji Greeves medals, six All-Australian selections and was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame this year.
Geelong also gained Cameron Mooney, who went on to play in two premierships across his 210 games with the Cats. Mooney was selected in the 2007 All Australian team, while also leading Geelong’s goal kicking on two separate occasions.
Mark this down as the greatest trade in Geelong’s history, setting up the club for their success down the track.
2. 2015 – Dangerfield Returns Home
Geelong RECEIVE: Patrick Dangerfield and Pick 50
Geelong GIVE: Dean Gore, Pick 9 (Wayne Milera) and Pick 28 (Mitch Hibberd)
After missing the finals in 2015, Geelong secured Patrick Dangerfield in a trade with Adelaide which set the club on a path back to the top of the ladder.
In eight seasons with the Cats, Dangerfield has; become a premiership player, won a Brownlow medal in 2016, become the Geelong captain in 2023, been selected to five more All-Australian teams and won three Carji Greeves medals.
The star midfielder has become one of the greatest players in the modern generation, helping lead the Cats to the 2022 Premiership.
3. 1999 – Geelong Secure Club Legend, Paul Chapman
Geelong RECEIVE: Pick 31 (Paul Chapman)
Geelong GIVE: Michael Mansfield
In one of the more simple swaps on this list, Geelong traded Micheal Mansfield to Carlton for pick 31 which was used to select Paul Chapman.
Mansfield had been a serviceable player for Geelong throughout the 1990’s but was nearing the end of his career, playing just 54 games at Carlton before retiring.
Paul Chapman went on to become one of Geelong’s greatest ever players, playing 251 games at the club including three premierships, two All-Australian selections, winning a Norm Smith medal in the 2009 Grand Final and a Carji Greeves medal.
4. 2004 – Bolstering the Ruck with Brad Ottens
Geelong RECEIVE: Brad Ottens
Geelong GIVE: Picks 12 (Danny Meyer) and 16 (Adam Pattison)
Often viewed as one of the most important pieces in Geelong’s three premierships, the Cats added star ruckman, Brad Ottens at the end of 2004.
The dominant big man played 116 games with Geelong featuring in three premierships, while also being selected to an All-Australian team and winning Mark of the year in 2006.
5. 2001 - Geelong Continues to Build, Adding James Kelly
Geelong RECEIVE: Pick 17 (James Kelly)
Geelong GIVE: Clint Bizzell
Geelong traded Clint Bizzell to Melbourne after 75 games at the club, who went on to play 88 more games with the Demons before retiring at the end of 2007.
In return the Cats got pick 17 which was used to select James Kelly, who went on to become a three time premiership star across 293 games with the club. Becoming an integral part of the Geelong dynasty, Kelly was also selected to the 2011 All-Australian team.
6. 2020 – Blockbuster Swap Brings Jezza to Kardinia Park
Geelong RECEIVE: Jeremy Cameron & Two Future Second Round Picks
Geelong GIVE: Picks 13, 15, 20 & Future Fourth Round
In a mega deal that could certainly land higher on this list in years to come, the Cats secured superstar Jeremy Cameron from GWS at the end of 2020.
Cameron has been a dominant force up forward for Geelong, booting 157 goals from his 59 games at the club while helping the team capture the 2022 premiership.
The star forward has also won a Carji Greeves Medal, another All-Australian blazer and lead Geelong’s goal kicking all within his first three years with the club.
7. 1998 - Cats Add Future Premiership Captain, Tom Harley
Geelong RECEIVE: Tom Harley
Geelong GIVE: Pick 37
The Cats took a gamble of sorts when they traded for Tom Harley, after playing just one game for Port Adelaide.
But there is no doubt the gamble paid off, Harley going on to captain the Cats to the 2007 and 2009 premierships, playing 197 games and earning All-Australian honours in 2008.
8. 2017 – A Favourite Son Returns, With an Added Bonus
Geelong RECEIVE: Gary Ablett Jr, Pick 24 (Tim Kelly)
Geelong GIVE: Pick 19 (Wil Powell), Future Second Round Pick
Ablett returned home to finish off his incredible career, playing three more seasons and helping the Cats reach the 2020 Grand Final in his final game before retirement.
One of the greatest players in AFL history, Ablett played averaged more than a goal a game on return while winding the clock back in a handful of stellar performances.
The Cats also got pick 24 which they used to select Tim Kelly, who scored two runner up finishes in the Carji Greeves Medal and a top five in the Brownlow during his two seasons at the club.
9. 2016 – Geelong Secure Some Irish Dash Off Half Back
Geelong RECEIVE: Zach Tuohy & Future Second Round Pick (Lachlan Fogarty)
Geelong GIVE: Billie Smedts, Pick 63 (Cameron Polson) & Future First Round Pick
The Cats brought in Zach Tuohy at the end of 2017, with the Irish star going on to play 150 games and win a premiership with the club.
Tuohy now holds the record for the most games played by an Irish player, with the backman set to extend his legacy even further in 2023.
10. 1998 – Cats Recruit Speedy Backman
Geelong RECEIVE: Pick 24 (David Wojcinski)
Geelong GIVE: Marty McKinnon
Perhaps one of the most underrated Cats from the original dynasty, David Wojcinski joined the club via trade at the end of 1998 in exchange for Marty McKinnon.
One of the quickest players in the competition, ‘Wojo’ went on to play 203 games for the club while featuring in three premierships.
Honourable Mentions
1988
Geelong Receive: Ken Hinkley
Geelong Give: Pick 48
2013
Geelong Receive: Pick 41 (Jake Kolodjashnij)
Geelong Give: Trent West
2020
Geelong Receive: Pick 20 (Max Holmes)
Geelong Give: Future First Round Pick (Tom Brown)
2017
Geelong Receive: Pick 58 (Gryan Miers) & Future Fourth Round Pick
Geelong Give: Darcy Lang & Future Fourth Round Pick
