Thanks mateOld article but it explains the minimum conditions for free agency
How does the AFL trading period work?
Grandstand takes a look at how the complicated AFL trading and free agency period works.mobile.abc.net.au
To be a delisted free agent he'd have to be delisted. Cats are offering him a contract which is the opposite of delisting him so that won't happen.
The only way to break the deadlock if a trade isn't agreed and he genuinely doesn't want to play at geelong is to nominate the draft and hope that clubs rate their picks ahead of him (unlikely)
One extra peice in the cats favour is actually the time frame. Whilst not ideal, if it gets to the end of the trade period and no one agrees on value and time runs out, the cats can still sign him after the trade window. Put him on a lucrative one year contract and promise to try again next year, which would likely be preferable to another club move. Won't come to that however.