Geelong list manager Steven Wells says he’d be open to a blockbuster draft night pick swap that could see the Cats move well up the order when the NAB AFL Draft takes place later this month.
The Cats are currently armed with picks 14, 17, 24, 36 and 93, three of which (14, 24 and 36) were picked up in the deal that sent midfielder Tim Kelly to West Coast in October.
Speaking to AFL Media’s Road to the Draft podcast on Wednesday, Wells said all options were on the table come draft night.
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“We're preparing in a couple of different ways. One is whoever gets through to us we'll have to consider them, but also, we're might be changing position on the night,” he said.
“We’re open to trading up if that opportunity came our way, so we’re doing out work on all of the top ranked players.
“There's some chance - the conversations are going on with other clubs.”
Recruiting and list manger Stephen Wells unpacks the final day of trades #StandProud #WeAreGeelong pic.twitter.com/7uVJMaB1U1
— Geelong Cats (@GeelongCats) October 16, 2019
Wells said he regards this year’s crop as even across the board, but that the strength of the clubs’ draft hand should ensure the list is in a strong position come season 2020.
“There's good players all the way through the draft, there always is, it's just a matter of us trying to find them and identify the ones that are going to help us, not just the best players, but the best players for our footy club,” he said.
As to the kind of player that is on his wish list, finding a long-term replacement for spearhead Tom Hawkins, and beefing up the club’s ruck stocks will be an area of focus.
“We've got good developing players all over the ground, so when we look at the list I suppose, Tom Hawkins as a massive key position player is what I'll find the hardest to replace, Wells said.
“[The] key position forwards and the ruckman are very difficult to find so we'll be having a look at any of those that come our way and make a decision, not necessarily prioritise it, but if we think it's the right decision for our club, they’re the two positions that I reckon are hardest to find at the draft.”
The 2019 NAB AFL Draft will be held over two nights on November 27 and 28 at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.