Trade Week, or, A Duck’s Asshole

Let’s run through the ins, the outs and the WTFs.

Out:

Shannon Byrnes
Despite being a regular and reasonably easy target over the years, I choose to remember Monty for two things:

1) His second half in the 2009 Grand Final that helped push The Cats over the line, and
2) The professional way in which he handled his fall from favour this year.
Monty was continually overlooked for senior games but kept working and turned in consistently good VFL performances, which eventually lead to a premiership. This kind of attitude is integral for the “culture” of a footy club and sets the right example for younger players. Oh, and
3) The compromising photos he must have had of Lips Thompson. I’m surprised the Bombers didn’t pick him up.

Orren Stephenson
A serviceable, one year rental. Kinda like that plain-looking girl you hooked up with intermittently during that weird semester that you spent at the University of Ballarat when you wore corduroy pants and briefly enjoyed the music of Grinspoon.

Jonathon Simpkin
I know very little about this man.

Simon Hogan
Simon’s issues have been well documented in the wider media. There are many things more important than career.

Matthew Scarlett and David Wojcinski
As briefly eulogized in the previous blog. Legends.


In:
Josh Caddy
Other than being in desperate need of a nickname, neither I, nor Mrs Watson, know very little about the highly sought-after Josh Caddy. We know that he was a top ten pick in 2010 and is highly rated by Geelong’s (and other clubs) recruiting staff. He’s noted as a clearance player and a goal-kicking mid, something Geelong have missed since G Ablett left town, and we know he is in the perfect age bracket; physically ready to play seniors and yet with much expected improvement to come.

We also know that the Cats went plenty hard at Travis Boak, sending the coach, captain, vice-captain (and potentially an indecent proposal type scenario that broke up Joel Selwood and Esther Anderson) to Alberton during the season in attempt to win him over. And what that tells us is the club, like most of us, realise that they need another inside midfielder so the Skipper doesn’t have to carry them very friggin’ game. (And also that Travis Boak is not a great decision maker.)

I would like to urge patience with Caddy, however. He has only just turned 20 and is from the same draft class as Smedts and Guthrie, who have hardly cemented themselves as regular senior players. So don’t be surprised if Caddy ends up playing his share of VFL this season. However, with Bartel confirmed to play less midfield next year, Caddy has a chance to rip up the pre-season and force his way in sooner rather than later.

Best Case Scenario: A goal-kicking Joel Corey
Worst Case Scenario: A stocky Paul Koulouroitis


Jared Rivers
I’ve watched a fair bit of Melbourne over the past years for various reasons, most recently because they have consistently drawn the Sunday twilight game and most Sundays I’m super-glued to the couch, fantasizing about alcohol-free weekends and awaiting Toppolinos home-delivery hours to start. And I have followed Jared Rivers’ career fairly closely since he was a Rising Star winner in 2004 for no particular reason I can think of at all. Ergo, I have seen plenty of Jared Rivers. And I heartily endorse him as an excellent addition to the Geelong backline.

Rivers has been outmanned at Melbourne his entire career, with no discernible backline help and a midfield that leaks more ball than an old man in jogging shorts and still he performed admirably, finishing top 5 in their B&F three times (I think). With Lonergan and Taylor to protect him from the power forwards, he should be comfortable from day one zoning-off to take intercept marks and deliver the ball with a minimum of fuss (he has a career disposal efficiency rate of over 80%).

As Rivers himself pointed out, he won’t replace Scarlett, but he will walk into Scarlett’s spot and do what Tom Gillies was supposed to be doing two years ago.

Best Case Scenario: Tom Harley circa-2008
Worst Case Scenario: Tom Harley circa-2009


Hamish McIntosh
When I first heard Geelong was interested in Hamish McIntosh, my first thoughts were something along the lines of this. But, to paraphrase Simmons, any time you can give up a second round pick for an uncoordinated ruckman approaching his 30s and coming off major Achilles and knee injuries, well, you have to do it.

Then, I started thinking about Geelong’s ruck situation: West isn’t big enough; Orren isn’t good enough; Simpson isn’t fit enough (nor, probably, good enough); and Vardy looks more like a CHF. Shit, The Cats got killed in the ruck this year…

And then I started talking myself into Hamish McIntosh: One time All-Australian contender, career averages around 15 disposals, 20 hit-outs and 5 marks per game, not too many miles on the clock, rucks tend to play better late in their careers…

And then I started thinking about the massive, positive impact Brad Ottens had on Geelong, and how he was coming off some bad injuries when he got to Geelong, and how a good argument could be made that he was the most important player on all three premiership teams…

And then I started missing Brad Ottens. I can’t see myself saying the same about McIntosh in three years time.

Best Case Scenario: A decent Darren Jolly impersonation
Worst Case Scenario: A spot-on Peter Street impersonation


Jesse Stringer (Rookie elevation)
I’m all for due process and ensuring all facts and situations and circumstances are taken into account. And I’m also all for forgiveness and redemption and second chances. So, I don’t mean to sound cynical when I say The Cats must think he can really play. Like, really.

Best Case Scenario: A 10-year career
Worst Case Scenario: A 10-year sentence


Next up: A look at the AFL draft, where The Cats will make only two live picks; 16 and 79.