The trade period is now underway and one of the underlying questions is what Geelong will do with their highly coveted Pick 7 selection for the upcoming National Draft.
List manager Andrew Mackie made clear Geelong's intention to explore every avenue possible to receive maximum return for the asset, whether it be through trading the pick or using it themselves.
Multiple clubs, including Carlton and West Coast, are notably interested in moving up to attain the pick.
Carlton have selections 16, 67 and 75 to offer up in this year's draft, a combination that likely won't cut it for the Cats.
West Coast boasts pick one and access to leading draft talent Harley Reid, as well as 20, 34, 41, 55 and 60.
Melbourne have the most attractive draft hand to offer up, with picks 5, 13, 25, 33 and 39 to select from, and an apparent desire to make a move for Reid.
We know that Port Adelaide will be involved in trade action with the Cats, being expected to let go of pick 23 (recently acquired from Fremantle) to pick up Esava Ratugolea in a swap that probably favours Geelong.
The Cats may seek more in return, however, given the rarity of quality key post personnel in the league, and Andrew Mackie's recent comments on Gettable prior to the Grand Final.
"Players like that, in that age bracket, with those attributes and the position they play, there's a premium on that", Mackie said.
Regarding Pick 7, the Cats are again seeking hefty returns, with the warning of using it themselves should no satisfactory offer come about.
"If we are going to be involved around that first pick (pick seven) it's gotta be really pointy for us and really achieve some things on our strategy that we need to do over the next couple of years," Mackie revealed.
"There's been clubs ringing about trading for the pick.
"Its landed in a really good spot for us, that pick, so whichever way we decide to go, I think we'll get a really good outcome."
Should they use the pick, potential candidates include Tasmanian inside midfielder Ryley Sanders should he slip, versatile Northern Knights key forward Nate Caddy as the most likely option, Murray Bushrangers key defender Connor O'Sullivan, or even Eastern Ranges small forward Nick Watson.
Alternatively, they may trade it for future picks and prepare for a rebuild in the coming years.
With only one player on their list signed beyond 2025 (Gryan Miers) and coach Chris Scott out of contract at the end of 2024, the Cats may set themselves up for a period of change as veteran stars Tom Hawkins, Patrick Dangerfield, Mitch Duncan, Zach Tuohy, Gary Rohan, Cam Guthrie, Mark Blicavs and others near the end of their careers.
Geelong believe they can succeed with any off-season path, whether it's a singular top-order selection, multiple late-rounders, or acquiring personnel through trade.
Players like Tom Atkins, Jack Henry, Brad Close and Tom Stewart were all taken late in their respective drafts and developed into key cogs of the premiership side of 2022.
Jeremy Cameron, Gary Rohan, Tyson Stengle, Tanner Bruhn, Patrick Dangerfield, Rhys Stanley and Zach Tuohy were all externally acquired in a variety of moves involving early picks, late picks and traded players.
It is a safe bet to assume Geelong will benefit from whatever decision they make with their first pick, as assured by Mackie.
"There's been clubs ringing about trading for the pick", he revealed.
"Realistically we've known that we are open to doing things
"So, we're not opposed to it, but it could look a bit different... we're really excited about what the back of the draft might look like, our recruiters have been all over that all year."
With the trade period only just beginning and moves already being made from all angles, off-season observers can expect a plethora of updates in the next two weeks as teams sort out all the complications of current draft picks, future draft picks, contracted players and free agents around the league.