Geelong has concluded the second night of the 2023 AFL Draft having added five new players to their list.
The Cats began the night with seven picks in hand, including two early selections, at 32 and 36 respectively.
With their first selection, Geelong pounced on 206cm Mitchell Edwards from Peel Thunder.
One of the key ruck prospects in the draft, and a Fremantle Next Generation Product, Edwards is renowned his marking around the ground, his tap ruck work and for his competitive streak.
Geelong Recruiting Manager Stephen Wells said the Cats were very happy Edwards was available when he was.
"We were very happy," he told Fox Footy on Tuesday night.
"All the way through the draft there were a lot of really good players available to us at each selection but when Mitch came through to us, a developing young ruckman, a wonderful player that we think is going to really add to our list of developing talls over the coming years."
With their second selection and 36th pick overall, Geelong took mature age Shaun Mannagh.
Mannagh, at 175cm and 80kg is a damaging mid/forward, who hunts the ball, and kicks goals.
His six goal, 28 possession, Norm Goss Medal winning performance in the 2023 VFL Grand Final firmly placed him on recruiters’ radars everywhere.
The Cats, according to Wells, were no different.
"Shaun has deserved a chance to be on an AFL list, we think, based on a number of years of performances," he said.
"It became evident to us that we wanted him on our list, and we think he can make an impact straight away. At the end of the year when he played in the Grand Final, it became a bit of a priority for us."
With 3 picks in the third round, the Cats took, George Stevens at pick 58, Oli Wiltshire at 61, and Lawson Humphries at 63.
Stevens, who stands 189cm and weighs 101kg is a dual threat as a big bodied midfielder who finds plenty of the football, excels in the contest, and is a more than capable defender form the Greater Western Victoria Rebels.
Stevens also played two games for the Cats VFL team in 2023.
Wiltshire is a 21 year old midfielder/small forward from Barwon Heads who also had a stint at the Geelong Falcons in 2021. Wiltshire is quick, has a big engine and is skilled on both sides of the body.
Wells said he hopes that Wiltshire could prove to be another Cat taken late who performs beyond expectations.
"That’s the plan and hope," he said. "Ollie’s had a go at the Falcons a couple of years ago. He didn’t quite make it there but his skill and football brain on display at Barwon Heads over the past couple of years has been outstanding and he deserves his chance."
Humphries, taken at pick 63 is a 182cm wingman from Swan Districts whose ball use and decision-making are a stand out.
At 20 years of age, he’s proficient on both sides of his body and played his junior football with the Wickham Wolves.
The Cats passed on their final two selections.
