Uncertainty surrounds the likely role of Geelong tall Sam De Koning ahead of the 2025 season as the Cats consider how flexible they can be with their squad.
De Koning, who was an integral contributor in the club's 2022 premiership side as a key defender, was utilised in the ruck at stages last year in what was a role change for the 204cm talent.
While showing signs of promise in midfield given his athletics and aerial prowess, De Koning was at times beaten by more experienced ruckmen as the Cats experimented with the change.
Geelong will have veteran Rhys Stanley again in 2025, with the 34-year-old likely still ahead of emerging ruck pair Toby Conway and Mitch Edwards.
The young duo have faced multiple setbacks during the early stages of their Kardinia Park careers, however Conway has broken through for AFL action in six games in the past two seasons.
The young Cats tall will push for another chance in the top flight this year, with a healthy Conway potentially easing coach Chris Scott's ruck plans for the long term.
"Toby Conway, I think he'll get a look (at senior action) this year, he's been pretty good," Cats assistant James Kelly toldย RSNย on Monday.
"He's had a few little interruptions over the pre-season, but we're still really confident in who Toby is and what sort of player he can be.
"Mitch Edwards is in there as well, and Rys is still training really well. So how that looks is a but like everything else, we're not entirely sure.
"Hopefully we get some good footy out of all three of those guys."
As for De Koning, Kelly was uncertain of the exact role he'll hold under Scott but was confident the versatile tall is in "a really good physical shape to be able to handle anything".
De Koning could continue his dual-position role as a defender-ruck hybrid, while Kelly didn't rule out a move forward in the wake of Tom Hawkins' retirement.
"He's probably more fluid than settled I'd say," Kelly said of De Koning's preparations for 2025.
"There's a bit of chat going on amongst the coaches around where he's best suited, whether it's ruck, a key back position where he was so good in '22, or is there some sort of forward role there for him - we obviously lost 'Hawk', so whether Sammy fits into that role...
"The ruck thing can be a bit complex because we've got Mark Blicavs, who has spent time down back but is still arguably one of our better ruckmen.
"There's a bit to work through around that sort of stuff, but Sam is certainly in a really good physical shape to be able to handle anything."
The summer has given Kelly and the Cats a close look at their new crop of draftees, with the club bringing in seven fresh faces via the National and Rookie Drafts.
Sandringham Dragons defender Lennox Hofmann, who was a member of St Kilda's NGA program, has been the standout in Kelly's eyes with his maturity as a medium-sized backman.
"They're an athletic bunch of kids, that's for sure. They're all absorbing training pretty well," Kelly said of Geelong's draftees.
"I've spent a fair bit of time in the backline and Lenny Hofmann has looked really good for a young kid.
"He's picked up the defensive system really well and is pretty brave in the air which is a fair way down the line for a young defender like that. We're really happy with him.
"Jacob Molier looks like a really athletic tall forward-ruck... they're all good kids willing to work."
Geelong's pre-season schedule will see them clash with Hawthorn and Essendon in February before a season-opening bout with Brisbane at the Gabba on Thursday, March 6.
