It’s been labelled the “greatest free kick in football” by some recruiters from rival clubs, and Geelong is reportedly determined to keep driving its successful trade and free agency strategy.
The Herald Sun reports the Cats will continue to make their ‘sell the dream’ pitch of the Geelong lifestyle to prospective free agents and trade targets like Tom De Koning and Darcy Parish and hone in on former Geelong Falcons in a bid to land marquee talent.
It’s included Geelong securing targets on cheaper deals by selling the culture and on and off-field advantages.
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The club has been among the most active in the trade space over the last decade to play a key role in its sustained success including the reigning premiers last off-season landing Ollie Henry, Tanner Bruhn and Jack Bowes.
Out-of-contract Blue De Koning and Bombers free agent and ex-Geelong Falcon Parish are now at the top of the Cats’ wish list to further bolster their squad.
The lure of pairing De Koning with brother Sam would be another obvious pitch, although St Kilda has been more firmly linked to the ruckman/key tall.
Meanwhile Parish, who’s currently sidelined with a calf injury, has admitted Essendon’s positive direction under new coach Brad Scott would “absolutely” persuade him to stay at Tullamarine.
INJURED DOEDEE’S NEXT CONTRACT A ‘THIRD OR FOURTH’ PRIORITY
Injured Crows free agent Tom Doedee has admitted his contract situation is “probably third or fourth” on his list or priorities after his devastating ACL setback.
It rules out the 26-year old for the remainder of this season, having suffered the same injury on his other leg four years ago.
Eligible for restricted free agency, the defender parked contract talks until later this year as he weighed up his future.
But Doedee’s ACL blow could now have an impact on both what the Crows and rival clubs are prepared to offer.
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Although it’s arguably the most important contract juncture in his career, Doedee said he hadn’t given it that much thought.
“It’s not the way I wanted it to go and it hurts but it hasn’t played on my mind as much as people would think,” he told 9News Adelaide.
“Obviously there‘s been talk after it happened, ’He’s in a contract year. It’s going to hurt his value’, all that sort of stuff, but it’s actually probably been third or fourth on my priority list.”
A former Geelong Falcon, Doedee has played 82 games since making his debut in 2018.