THE CAREER of Geelong's out-of-contract defender Tom Gillies is in limbo.
The 22-year-old has often been touted as a ready-made replacement for champion backman Matthew Scarlett, who recently hung up his boots.
Yet Gillies has played only 13 AFL games since being selected by the Cats in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft, and he played just five games this year.
"He's another one of those names that's out in the mix," Gillies' manager Peter Blucher told AFL.com.au on Wednesday.
"He doesn't have a contract at Geelong at this stage and he hasn't been told anything else.
"I guess he's on the market, like so many.
"Tom obviously wants to be an AFL player, so that's his interest in this process."
Geelong's interest in Melbourne defender Jared Rivers appears to be bad news for Gillies.
Rivers, who is an unrestricted free agent, recently toured the facilities at Simonds Stadium and is likely to join the Cats before the end of the Gillette Free Agency Period.
It is the second season straight season that Gillies' name has been mentioned during the trade period.
A year ago the 22-year-old was targeted by Hawthorn, but Geelong refused to do a deal with the Hawks.
"Hawthorn were really hot on him last year," Blucher said. "It went on and on and back and forth and nothing happened.
"He was contracted so he stayed where he was.
"This year it's the same sort of situation, except that he's not contracted."
Gillies, who stands 192cm, was relatively impressive in the few AFL appearances he made for Geelong during the 2012 season.
Playing across half-back, he gathered 19 possessions and took eight marks against Melbourne in round eight, and he picked up 18 touches and took seven marks against Greater Western Sydney in round 13.
Yet that match against the Giants proved to be his last outing in the AFL for the year.
He spent the remainder of the season in the reserves and was a part of the Geelong team that beat Port Melbourne in the VFL Grand Final.
"He hasn't played much in the AFL this year because we've had two defenders who were nominated for the All Australian squad (Corey Enright and Harry Taylor), and we've still had Matthew Scarlett running around in the backline," Geelong assistant coach James Rahilly explained recently.
"He played five AFL games and he actually ranked really well in those games - his stats were good and his opponent didn't get much of the ball.
"It's just an opportunity thing with where Tom's at. He's been in and out of the team, but we're rapt with how he's developed.
"He's beating his opponent and getting better with his decisions off the ball. Scarlo leaving will be a very good thing for Tom. He could easily fit into Scarlo's role."
If that doesn't prove to be the case and Gillies leaves Geelong, the Western Bulldogs, who recently lost Brian Lake to Hawthorn, are among the clubs in the market for a key defender.
Their coach, Brendan McCartney, worked closely with Gillies during his early years at Geelong.
"We're still in week one (of the trade period) and I think he's one of those who will be discussed a bit when a few other things fall into place," Blucher said.
Click here for the Gillette AFL Trade Tracker
Adam McNicol covers Geelong news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter at @AFL_AdamMcNicol
