FAMED draft bargain hunter Geelong enters the 2025 intake with a late-first round pick in tow, having made it to the last day of the season. While moves for Rowan Marshall and Charlie Curnow fell through, the Cats can fill out depth with a high-end prospect and two Next Generation Academy (NGA) graduates.

>> 100+ PROFILES: View the 2025 AFL Draft Guide

2025 RECORD: Runner-Up | 2nd H&A | 17-6 | 141.5%
2025 PICKS: 19, 40, 60, 78
FUTURE PICKS: ’26 R1, ’26 R2, ’26 R3, ’26 R4 | ’27 R1, ’27 R2, ’27 R3, ’27 R4
ACADEMY/FATHER-SON NOMINEES: Jesse Mellor, Ben Rongdit (both NGA)

FIRST PICK:
Pick 19

Drafts are difficult to predict at the best of times, but in the most compromised crop we’ve seen to date, that sentiment rings truer than ever. Geelong sits among that uncertainty late in the first round, likely with a view for scoping out an inside midfielder with its first selection.

We’ll get the obvious links out of the way first. Geelong is known for looking local and is already poised to promote a pair of Falcons graduates via NGA ties, so why not a third? Namely, the region’s leading prospect is Josh Lindsay, a half-back who sets himself apart with elite foot skills and smarts.

The other pertinent link for Geelong is 191cm talent Oliver Greeves, a descendant of Cats legend Carji. Aside from growing up supporting the club, he ticks the box of being an inside midfielder and is among the draft’s most classy players when the ball enters his area.

Should Geelong instead target upside, perhaps utilities like Harley Barker and Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves are in the offing. Barker is a wingman in the mould of Ollie Dempsey, but will miss nearly all of his first year due to an ACL tear. Hibbins-Hargreaves is more of a hybrid forward whose talent alone is arguably of top 10-15 quality.

Another couple of around-the-square options in Geelong’s hitting zone are Jevan Phillipou and Oskar Taylor. Phillipou, the brother of St Kilda’s Mattaes, is a powerful mid-forward who runs all day, while Taylor is a daring half-back with high-end speed and foot skills – likely to be in high demand.

Oliver Greeves could be a good fit for Geelong | Image Credit: Rookie Me Central

Otherwise, given Geelong’s trade targets, perhaps key position depth is another area of interest. That brings Archie Ludowyke into the mix, though GWS and Carlton are among the clubs also interested. Louis Emmett is another option who could end up thriving in any key position post with his running ability and athleticism.

The Cats aren’t shy of a bid, either. Suns Academy gun Jai Murray could be a surprise option in this range given he suits Geelong’s needs as a clean inside ball winner. Swans-tied prospect Max King suits the Cats developmental recruiting lens, and offers the best of both worlds as an athletic 191cm mid-forward.

REMAINING CROP:
Picks 40, 60, 78

Geelong is poised to make two selections in the National Draft, so will hope its NGA nominees make it through without a bid. Jesse Mellor is the most likely to attract opposition interest, with the powerful forward offering aerial nous and support at the contest while being able to score in bunches.

Again, there are pertinent links like local prospect Hugo Mikunda, an agile and crafty midfielder who could develop into a wing or high forward. Wingman Hunter Holmes is another to consider as the brother of current Cats star Max, though many other clubs will be into his upside as a speed-endurance athlete.

A name lobbed up next to the Cats’ first round pick is Fred Rodriguez. The West Australian captain and MVP is a hard-working inside midfielder who kicks off both feet and brings it each week. Geelong’s pick 40 is more likely his appropriate range, although clubs like Collingwood will also be in for him.

Geelong’s other point of business will be to land Ben Rongdit as a Category B rookie. Otherwise, he would be a strong over-age candidate to develop post his ACL recovery. Meanwhile, George Stevens and Keighton Matofai-Forbes have both been delisted with the promise of being re-listed as rookies.

KEY QUESTIONS:

– Is an inside midfielder the target with pick 19?
– Will Jesse Mellor attract a surprise early bid?
– Can Geelong pull off another draft bargain?