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Trade talk: Cashed up Cats targeting stars with apparent ‘war chest’
SEN • June 11th, 2025 1:07 pm
Geelong has the salary cap space to go after some big fish in the next few trade periods.
Channel 7’s Mitch Cleary is reporting that the Cats are well stocked to pursue some stars with a ‘war chest’ of sorts.
Cleary says West Coast young gun Harley Reid and Port Adelaide star Zak Butters are believed to be on the radar of the cashed up Cats.
“Harley Reid and Zak Butters are at the top of that list,” Cleary said on The Agenda Setters.
“Both are contracted for this year so it would be more for next year that I believe they will target them.
“Steve Hocking told a Pivots coterie function at the weekend before the Gold Coast game that the Cats have enough room in their salary cap over the next couple of years to go after two more stars.
“That will be a surprise to a lot of fans around the competition. We know the success they’ve had with Jeremy Cameron, Bailey Smith and Patrick Dangerfield.
“The Cats are setting up to go big again. They have some big names in their sights.”
The news comes after Sam McClure reported on the Tradies podcast that Fremantle’s Luke Jackson now has a family connection to Geelong.
“I want put this on the table early - the chances of him getting to Geelong are probably slim,” said McClure.
“But his partner Kelsey (Browne), her family is from down that way. That is where they have spent the bye week. Geelong are aware of the family connections.
“Luke Jackson is on a lot of money, so that deal would have to be carried over into his new contract.
“Andrew Mackie their head of footy, would be hard pressed convincing Chris Scott to pay that sort of money for Jackson. Having said that, if he made it known he wants to play for Geelong, then it changes the conversation a little bit.
“It's something to watch. I still think he's a good chance to stay at Freo, given the deal. I'd have Melbourne favourite, Fremantle second favourite and Geelong lurking.”
The Cats have had great success in luring big-name players to the club with current captain Patrick Dangerfield, Coleman Medallist Jeremy Cameron and more recently Bailey Smith all starring in the blue and white hoops.
Geelong sits fourth on the ladder with a 9-4 record ahead of Saturday’s clash with Essendon at the MCG.
