Most valuable players
Corey Enright, Andrew Mackie, Matthew Scarlett, Joel Selwood and Harry Taylor. Brownlow Medallist Gary Ablett wasn’t sighted in this section, with the bulk of Cats fans deeming their defence near-irreplaceable. Five players tied with a ‘must-keep’ percentage of 93 per cent. Young gun midfielder and captain-in-waiting Selwood was among those with the best rating, while grand final hero Taylor was somewhat of a surprise nominee in joining the esteemed list. All-Australians Enright, Mackie and Scarlett – for three years among the best and most versatile of Geelong’s back six – were also highly regarded.
What the coach said:
Taylor: “Harry's one of the first players in on Monday morning to get feedback on how he's played. He's a great researcher of the game, with a huge passion for it.” - Assistant coach Brendan McCartney.
The keepers
Paul Chapman, Cameron Ling, Brad Ottens and Max Rooke. The experienced quarter all brought in 92 per cent of the 'must keep vote. “Chappy” is among Cats’ fans favourites. Hard at it, a straight talker and super-talented, rival fans are also finally regarding him in the same manner with which way he is at the Cattery. Some players are considered the heart and soul of their clubs, and the Norm Smith Medallist fits this bill.
Some thought the quicker, higher-intensity game might have passed Ling by a few years ago, but the game’s best run-with player continues to show his worth. It’s comforting to enter a game knowing the opposition’s best midfielder is in for a tough day. With Ling in the line-up, Geelong fans enjoy that comfort every week.
Ottens' return to the senior side in the final round of the home-and-away season can’t be underestimated. Once maligned for his lack of impact, Ottens is clearly the premiers’ No.1 big man and is super-important to the side’s make-up.
Like Chapman, Rooke is considered the heart and soul of the club. The fans love him as was reflected in his status as a certain keeper for the Cats.
Trade bait
Mark Blake, Ryan Gamble, Kane Tenace and Tom Lonergan. Blake continues to improve but it seems Geelong fans saw more in rookie Shane Mumford. Sixty-eight per cent thought he could be traded.
Gamble has been in and out of the side for a couple of years and found himself in a similar boat with 65 per cent of Cats fans thinking he’s not untouchable.
Tenace was drafted as high as any Cat on the list (the No.7 pick in 2003), but fans have seemingly lost patience with him after 88 per cent voted to move him on. Lonergan too is in the cross-hairs, with seventy-nine per cent of voters wanting him traded, despite the obvious regard in which he is held at the Cattery.
"Why, oh why, did Shane Mumford leave? You should have gotten rid of Mark "slow" Blake. I am sure Mark is nice but Shane has potential and now we have lost him. I know there’s salary cap problems but why keep Blake instead of Mumford?" – Kelly
"GFC must consider themselves a real chance to win the big one in 2010. As such I think minimal change to the roster is a must. Fringe players such as Lonergan, Tenace, David Johnson, West and Stokes should be considered for trade." – David
"I’m more inclined to follow the example set in 2007, where players were 'assisted' to other clubs a la King to the Saints. No real reason to add to any particular area of the structure in the current group, and there’s still the potential for growth." – Scott
"Cats need to get a new influx of talent, because contrary to popular belief our depth is not what it was in ’07. Now's the time to get Stephen Wells cracking on getting new talented recruits." – Trevor
What actually happened
The 2009 premiers were dragged into trade week festivities because of a bulging salary cap. The Cats offered emerging ruckman Shane Mumford a contract extension, but simply couldn’t match the Sydney Swans’ offer of a lucrative four-year deal. In the end, they lost the 23-year-old rookie for a second-round draft pick (No. 28 overall). His departure ensured Blake would stay at the club.
Veteran runner David Wojcinski was mentioned throughout the week but looks likely to stay in the blue-and-white hoops providing he and the cash-strapped Cats can agree on a deal.
Mathew Stokes, also out of contract along with Blake, was thrown up as a possible trade option but declared his intent to stay a Cat.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
