Geelong are a good chance to return as one of the busier clubs come the 2024 trade and free agency period following a quieter off-season last year.
The Cats placed a focus on the draft in 2023 and decided against bringing in any experienced talent through trades, with their calm list shift coming after a well-documented player movement space the year prior.
This year, with Geelong in limbo between contending or rebuilding, the Pivot City side looks set to be aggressive through their list management planning as they scout the open market.
Here's who the Cats could consider come the off-season...
OTHER TRADE TARGETS:ย ADELAIDE,ย BRISBANE,ย CARLTON,ย COLLINGWOOD, ESSENDON, FREMANTLE
1. Bailey Smith
A name quite familiar in Cats trade talks, with Smith seen as a live chance to make his way to Kardinia Park at the end of this year.
Geelong will have some fight from Hawthorn and potentially Collingwood in pursuit of Smith's signature, with the Bulldogs viewed as a good chance to lose the midfielder due to other areas of their list and the potential offers from rivals.
The Sandringham Dragons product would slot in a first-string midfield role at Geelong and be placed alongside the likes of Max Holmes and Tanner Bruhn, with all three former first-round picks each bringing their own strengths to Chris Scott's midfield ensemble.
Smith, who will be coming off a year on the sidelines following an ACL injury sustained last December, would demand a first-round pick at the very least in trade negotiations.
But if the flashy Dogs onballer can return to his best, an early selection will be worth the price paid.
