The blockbuster trade that landed Jeremy Cameron at GMHBA Stadium was one of the biggest deals in AFL history, with six draft picks changing hands as the Cats secured the star forward at the end of 2020.

Geelong sent three top-20 draft picks to GWS in the exchange, with the trade already paying dividends as Cameron played a major role in the Cats 2022 Premiership.  

Onlookers identified the 2019 trade period as a key factor that unlocked the Cameron deal, with the Cats sending Tim Kelly to West Coast in exchange for a bounty of draft picks.

But the Cameron trade can be traced back much further than 2019, with the earliest seeds of the deal being planted right back at the 2004 AFL Draft.

Step One: The Cats Draft Brent Prismall 

The start of the journey can be tracked back to 2004, with the Cats selecting Brent Prismall with pick 32 in the 2004 AFL Draft.

Under the AFL draft rules at the time, any team that finished with five wins or less during the season was awarded priority picks in that year’s draft.

Richmond, Hawthorn, and the Western Bulldogs were granted the top three priority picks in the draft after all three teams occupied the bottom of the ladder in the 2003 season.

With Pick 32, Geelong took Brent Prismall, who spent his first season playing in the VFL before playing 25 AFL games in the blue and white hoops from 2006 to 2008.

Step Two: Geelong Trade Prismall to Essendon 

At the end of the 2008 season, Geelong made the decision to send Prismall to the Bombers in exchange for the 39th pick in the 2008 AFL draft.

After 25 games for the club, Prismall would go on to play a further 36 games at Essendon before retiring at the end of the 2011 season.

Step Three: Geelong Pick Steven Motlop in the 2008 Draft

With the 39th pick acquired in the Brent Prismall trade, the Cats selected Steven Motlop from the Wanderers in the Northern Territory Football League. 

After three years battling injury Motlop burst onto the scene in 2012, cementing his spot in the Cats line up and becoming one of the most dangerous young players in the competition. 

The crafty forward went on to build a solid career at Geelong, playing 135 games and booting 175 goals across nine seasons at Kardinia Park. 

Step Four: Motlop Leaves, Geelong Gain Compensation Pick 

At the end of the 2017 season, Motlop departed Geelong as a restricted free agent and headed to Port Adelaide for the next chapter of his career. 

The Cats had acquired some big names in the two years prior, picking up the likes of Patrick Dangerfield and Zach Tuohy as part of a list rejuvenation strategy. 

Geelong were offered pick 19 in the 2017 AFL draft as compensation for losing Motlop, with the Cats choosing not to match the contract offer on the table from Port Adelaide. 

Step Five: The Cats Trade Pick 19 to Bring Gary Ablett Home 

Despite a number of trade possibilities being thrown around, the Cats sent their compensation pick to the Gold Coast to welcome Gary Ablett Junior back to Kardinia Park. 

The package included the 19th and a future second round pick going to the Suns, with the Cats getting Ablett and a pair of draft picks in return. 

Ablett went on to play three more seasons at Geelong, helping them to three consecutive finals campaigns and a Grand Final appearance in his final career game in 2020. 

Notably, the Cats received pick 24 in the 2017 AFL draft from Gold Coast, which ultimately became the next crucial piece to the Jeremy Cameron puzzle. 

Step Six: Geelong Select Tim Kelly with Pick 24

Although getting Gary Ablett back was a big scalp for Geelong, the Cats also used the 24th pick to select midfielder Tim Kelly in the 2017 AFL draft. 

The mature age recruit entered the club as a ready made on-baller, and took no time leaving his mark as Kelly finished in the top five at the Brownlow in his second season at AFL level. 

The West Australian finished runner up in the Carji Greeves medal in both his opening two seasons, averaging over 24 disposals and a goal per game in his time at Geelong. 

Step Seven: Cats Gain Huge Draft Bounty as Kelly Returns Home 

After just two seasons at Kardinia Park, Kelly requested and was granted a trade home to West Coast at the end of the 2019 season. 

In return for the midfielder, Geelong gained picks 14, 24 and 37 in the 2019 draft along with a future first rounder from West Coast in the 2020 draft. 

Geelong selected Cooper Stephens with pick 14, but shifted around the rest of their picks to land their ultimate goal. 

Step Eight: The Cats Adjust Their Picks With Big Picture in Mind

With their new picks acquired from West Coast, the Cats flicked pick 24 to the Gold Coast in exchange for their future round one selection in the 2020 draft. 

This trade landed Geelong with pick 15 in the 2020 draft.

Step Nine: Geelong Get Their Man, Cameron Joins the Cats

After numerous moves and trades across a 16 year period, the Cats journey ultimately ended with Jeremy Cameron arriving at Kardinia Park at the end of 2020. 

Geelong sent Gold Coast’s future first round selection acquired in 2019 (pick 15), West Coast’s future first round pick acquired in the Tim Kelly trade (pick 18), and their own first pick of the draft (pick 25) to GWS along with a future fourth rounder. 

In return they got Jeremy Cameron and two future second round picks, with Cameron already proving his worth in three dominant seasons at the club.