Geelong has enjoyed a strong history of successful trade periods, recruiting a number of big name players that have pushed the club to new heights during their time at Kardinia Park be it via straight player swaps or trades for specific picks that become players, the silly season has often been fruitful for the Cats' list management team.
With the Cats making over 110 transactions since the inaugural trade period in 1988, there are a number of players that have built a strong legacy in the blue and white hoops.
We narrowed down the list to create Geelong’s best 22 trade acquisitions over the past 35 years.
Honourable Mentions
Allen Christensen
Steven Motlop
Lachie Henderson
Oliver Henry
In another version of this squad, any of these four players could be included and not look out of place.
Christensen played a role in Geelong’s 2011 premiership win, Motlop provided plenty of highlights during his 135 games with the Cats, and Lachie Henderson was serviceable in his six seasons at Kardinia Park.
Ollie Henry was strong in his first season with the club, but can be lumped together with Tanner Bruhn and Jack Bowes as players still in the infancy stage of their journey at Geelong.
The Back Six
Corey Enright, Tom Harley, Brad Sholl
Zach Tuohy, Jake Kolodjashnij, Ken Hinkley
Among this unit you will find numerous premierships, Geelong captains, best and fairest winners, an Irish star and potentially one of the greatest defenders the game has ever seen.
Geelong has consistently been anchored by strong defensive units with Enright, Harley, Tuohy and Kolodjashnij all playing a part in Cats premierships over the past 16 years.
Ken Hinkley was a two time All-Australian and Geelong best and fairest winner, while Brad Sholl carved out a strong career down back during his time with the Cats.
The Centre Line
David Wojcinski, James Kelly, Max Holmes
A mixture of old and new, the centre line is driven by tough nut James Kelly in the middle with Wojcinski and Holmes providing incredible speed on the outside.
Kelly played nearly 300 games for the Cats alongside three premierships and an All-Australian selection, while David Wojcinski was a key line breaker in the Cats three Premierships from 2007 to 2011.
Despite being at the start of his journey, Max Holmes has already shown the potential which will be on display at Geelong for years to come.
The Forward Line
Paul Chapman, Jeremy Cameron, Gryan Miers
Kent Kingsley, Cameron Mooney, Gary Rohan
This group has nearly 1,800 goals between them across their respective careers, including a combination of dominant tall forwards and crafty smalls.
Assist king Gryan Miers would have a field day with the plethora of options ahead of him, including dominant tall forwards Jeremy Cameron and Cam Mooney.
Paul Chapman’s resume speaks for itself, while Kent Kingsley and Gary Rohan both proved to be valuable additions and damaging influences on the scoreboard.
The Followers
Brad Ottens, Gary Ablett Jr, Patrick Dangerfield
There would be no midfield unit history able to contain this level of fire power, period.
Brad Ottens is widely regarded as the key that unlocked the Cats dynasty from 2007 to 2011, having a phenomenal impact during his 116 games with the club.
Gary Ablett Jr. is one of the greatest players to ever grace the AFL, while Patrick Dangerfield has been a top player of this generation in his own right.
The Bench
Brenton Sanderson, Rhys Stanley, Tim Kelly, Josh Caddy
These four players have all had a big contribution during their time with Geelong.
Sanderson played nearly 200 games and won a best and fairest with the Cats, while Rhys Stanley has been solid as the number one ruck over nine seasons and is now a Premiership player.
Tim Kelly played two sensational seasons at the club finishing runner-up in the best and fairest both years, while Josh Caddy impressed during his four seasons with Geelong.
