Geelong recruiting and list manager feels new recruits Zach Tuohy and Aaron Black could bring a great deal to the Cats in 2017.
In what has to date been a busy off-season for Geelong, the two new additions arrive at a time when 13 players have left the club via trade, retirement or delisting.
Tuohy was secured via trade with Carlton and saw Billie Smedts, a future first round pick and pick 63 in this year’s national draft moved to the Blues in return for the Irishman and a future second round pick.
Wells expects that deal to pay immediate dividends in defence in 2017.
“Zach’s been an outstanding player at Carlton for a number of years now, since coming from Ireland,” Wells told Cats Media.
“He’s been in the system a long time. He’s the same and right age profile of a player that can play good, consistent footy [and] I guess [that is] reflected in the fact he hasn’t missed a game for four years, I think finished in Carlton’s top 10 in their best and fairest three times in the last four years as well.”
“So we see him as coming straight in and playing in the backline.”
The deal to land promising forward Aaron Black was far more clear-cut, with North Melbourne receiving pick 92 in exchange for the 26-year-old.
Wells concedes, however, it will be predominantly on Black as to whether he can force his way into the Geelong forward line.
“Aaron hasn’t had many opportunities at North Melbourne in the last couple of years for a variety of reasons,” Wells said.
“We see a young, fresh start for Aaron coming to our club and getting an opportunity to try and stake a claim in our forward line.”
“He’s a hard running player, he’s a good size and he has shown he can play decent AFL footy. He’s just got to get back to that form.”
For the full interview with Stephen Wells, listen to PodCats via the audio player below.