Rumour GFC 2025 Player Trading, Drafting FA, Rumours and Wish lists Pt 1

[Vdubs]

Could we cover him if he left? Probably. We have added forward talent and will have players pushing for a spot..
Port would have loved him in their side and the Crows would find a spot but it was more what he might offer another club side like the devils that I was thinking. It will be interesting when they get around to releasing the rules on Tas trades and draft picks

Is all the talk opf losing him or covering him about the fact he's ooc at end 25? Or is there something else?
I rate him, and he fits into our team perfectly. From his stats , he's actually better than i've given him credit for. He will never be a really strong tackler, but he's really classy with the ball, and gets enough of it. I doubt he's ever been dropped either, which is big plus in our team's history, given the depth in his area of play.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

I reckon Close is exactly the sort of player that changes clubs during their career. Good not great, plays a specific role at a club where there are plenty of other players who plays that role.

Someone will come for him with a bigger offer than Geelong are prepared to pay.

Doesn’t mean he will definitely leave, but it would not surprise me at all if he did.

Every other fan of every other club I've ever spoken to about close has rated him massively. I think we mark him harshly.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

They take our duds. Motlop was the closest to a decent Geelong recruit for them but his Port career wasn't anything special.

Motlop won them a showdown. He could shoot a man on Port road and have 1000 people come forward to testify it was self defence

 

[Vdubs]

Every other fan of every other club I've ever spoken to about close has rated him massively. I think we mark him harshly.

He's just a very average player; no other team will show any interest.


here's hoping

 

[Pollywaffle]

I have not seen anyone call him a dud to be honest

Go catters

Yes. I love the guy, what he brings and would hate to see him go.
my comment was in response to a post that mentioned potential squeezes in our salary cap and the possibility of another team upping an offer..

 

[Vdubs]

Yes. I love the guy, what he brings and would hate to see him go.
my comment was in response to a post that mentioned potential squeezes in our salary cap and the possibility of another team upping an offer..

his 22 GF performance was brilliant, and a bit underrated iirc; my comment above was definitely not literal.

 

[Turbocat]

Is all the talk opf losing him or covering him about the fact he's ooc at end 25? Or is there something else?
I rate him, and he fits into our team perfectly. From his stats , he's actually better than i've given him credit for. He will never be a really strong tackler, but he's really classy with the ball, and gets enough of it. I doubt he's ever been dropped either, which is big plus in our team's history, given the depth in his area of play.

There times on here that I feel some on here that can see 2 +2 and see 22 .Its easy to do. Its that nature of the environment.

He is OOC at years end so a discussion point. As far as I know we are just have on offseason discussion … mixed with the reality that at the end of next year he is OOC..and what might happen. Will he get offers…would they be more than we could match. Of course BC might be the type of person who thinks his Geelong wage is still pretty handy and would prefer to stay where he is happy. Happiness before dollars. Cake before icing. If so I find that immensely admirable. But if left. No issue. I doubt anyone would be pushing the idea of him being used as collateral but I feel its a pro sport and only so much time to "make hay” ..if the right club that had need for a small like him came at him with money ..id have no gripes about him looking at the dollars ..and making a family choice.

 

[Turbocat]

He's just a very average player; no other team will show any interest.


here's hoping

That is sort of why Id say a player like him would be ideal ..in a start up like Tas. I wonder what special treats they will be able to aquire.

 

[Vdubs]

That is sort of why Id say a play like him would be ideal ..in a start up like Tas. I wonder what special treats they will be able to aquire.

He is well respected and liked at Geelong- I never like seeing classy players leave at his age. Maybe he can leave when he's at the age we got Shaun Higgins.

 

[The rabbi]

He's just a very average player; no other team will show any interest.


here's hoping

I agree. Any other AFL club would be mad to pursue such a "below average" player in my opinion.

 

[D BRIDGE]

Close is a very solid team player. Clearly in our best side.

In saying that... He's the kind of player I'd be happy to lose if a team offered overs for him.

 

[Matthew Jelley]

Close is an important part of the team, not sure why we'd entertain losing him

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Close is an important part of the team, not sure why we'd entertain losing him

Would only be if it was not our choice

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I don't think we'll entertain giving up a player who finished 10th in the league for goal assists in 2023 and 11th in 2024. Forward pockets averaging 2 combined goals/assists don't grow on trees. That's the mark Close has hit over the past 3 seasons. Our VFL small forward depth options are a huge downgrade. If Martin became durable perhaps he'd be an option.

We will see what Martin brings (talented but injury prone).
Regardless if there was no close (and this hypothetical) it doesn't necessarily have to be a like for like replacement that comes in like Martin.
On close I wasn't suggesting we give him up I was suggesting if other teams come for him (ie he's out of contract and might not be our choice).
My point was simply more that if he did go we have 3 other top end small forwards (most clubs dont) and a strong forward line so we could cover him.
And hence we might be less prepared to pay say 800k to keep him (this hypothetical) than we would to pay 800k for a quality mid (as that's a position we have less quality and depth in than closes position).
It all depends what the club wants to do in terms of salary cap management etc.
I suspect he will stay if he really wants to and doesn't ask for huge money.

 

[Mr Meow]

We will see what Martin brings (talented but injury prone).
Regardless if there was no close (and this hypothetical) it doesn't necessarily have to be a like for like replacement that comes in like Martin.
On close I wasn't suggesting we give him up I was suggesting if other teams come for him (ie he's out of contract and might not be our choice).
My point was simply more that if he did go we have 3 other top end small forwards (most clubs dont) and a strong forward line so we could cover him.
And hence we might be less prepared to pay say 800k to keep him (this hypothetical) than we would to pay 800k for a quality mid (as that's a position we have less quality and depth in than closes position).
It all depends what the club wants to do in terms of salary cap management etc.
I suspect he will stay if he really wants to and doesn't ask for huge money.

I actually think we'll see a lot of games where both Close and Martin play in 2025.

"How do they squeeze them all in?". You'd be surprised. They already made Dempsey a permanent wingman and Miers/Mannagh spend about half their game up there.

I haven't talked about money because I highly doubt Close is going to demand $800k.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

I actually think we'll see a lot of games where both Close and Martin play in 2025.

"How do they squeeze them all in?". You'd be surprised. They already made Dempsey a permanent wingman and Miers/Mannagh spend about half their game up there.

I haven't talked about money because I highly doubt Close is going to demand $800k.

I just don't think Martin will be playing a lot of games. Call me a party pooper but I don't think our medical team are a modern day Jesus

 

[Gazza Greatness]

I just don't think Martin will be playing a lot of games. Call me a party pooper but I don't think our medical team are a modern day Jesus

History will say your 100% correct CTTF but in rare cases players have gone to other sides with major 'medical/health concerns' and miraculously turned things around. Let's all just hope, Martin is one of those rare cases and things do turn around or if not, he just comes good for a few games and does a 'Stuart Dew' per the 2008 grand final against the 'mighty Cats' and turns the game, if so, then that's a huge bonus. He sure has the ability to do such heroics and maybe, just maybe that's what the recruiters had in mind!...... but at least he's cost us virtually nothing for the gamble.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

History will say your 100% correct CTTF but in rare cases players have gone to other sides with major 'medical/health concerns' and miraculously turned things around. Let's all just hope, Martin is one of those rare cases and things do turn around or if not, he just comes good for a few games and does a 'Stuart Dew' per the 2008 grand final against the 'mighty Cats' and turns the game, if so, then that's a huge bonus. He sure has the ability to do such heroics and maybe, just maybe that's what the recruiters had in mind!...... but at least he's cost us virtually nothing for the gamble.

Why would you even bring that up. I need a beer, or maybe ten

 

[PzBlinky]

History will say your 100% correct CTTF but in rare cases players have gone to other sides with major 'medical/health concerns' and miraculously turned things around. Let's all just hope, Martin is one of those rare cases and things do turn around or if not, he just comes good for a few games and does a 'Stuart Dew' per the 2008 grand final against the 'mighty Cats' and turns the game, if so, then that's a huge bonus. He sure has the ability to do such heroics and maybe, just maybe that's what the recruiters had in mind!...... but at least he's cost us virtually nothing for the gamble.

I'm sorry, this has no place in this forum.

 

[Gazza Greatness]

I'm sorry, this has no place in this forum.

Thought you guys would be over that by now but obviously not !!!..... lucky for me my memory only remembers ONLY the good times, I've trained it well through comic delusion.

 

[iameviljez]

History will say your 100% correct CTTF but in rare cases players have gone to other sides with major 'medical/health concerns' and miraculously turned things around. Let's all just hope, Martin is one of those rare cases and things do turn around or if not, he just comes good for a few games and does a 'Stuart Dew' per the 2008 grand final against the 'mighty Cats' and turns the game, if so, then that's a huge bonus. He sure has the ability to do such heroics and maybe, just maybe that's what the recruiters had in mind!...... but at least he's cost us virtually nothing for the gamble.

I’m sure there are plenty but we don’t hear about it. Wayne Schwass had his issues but made it work

 

[iameviljez]

Thought you guys would be over that by now but obviously not !!!..... lucky for me my memory only remembers ONLY the good times, I've trained it well through comic delusion.

I could live another hundred years and yet will never see a Geelong season as great as 2008. It’s not like any of the other GF losses

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Thought you guys would be over that by now but obviously not !!!..... lucky for me my memory only remembers ONLY the good times, I've trained it well through comic delusion.

It's a collective scar. Like watching 9/11. The greatest and most powerful collective ever assembled hit in a surprise attack by an unqualified rabble

 

[dazbroncos]

Close is the fit and reliable version of Martin.

Martin has a higher natural talent ceiling but Close has the runs on the board, the proven reliability in availability and plays his role in the team.

Martin IMO has a long way to go to displace Close.

Go Catters

 

[Gazza Greatness]

I could live another hundred years and yet will never see a Geelong season as great as 2008. It’s not like any of the other GF losses

And one of the reasons why some Hawthorn troll supporters even til' this day like to remind us, although having said that it seems the Tiger diehards bring it up more often than Hawthorn trolls these days but then again those guys live in a delusion world of their very own.