‘SERIOUS CONTENDER’ IN THE RACE FOR DELISTED BLUES FORWARD
Geelong specializes in these low-risk, high-reward moves, and according to Jay Clark of The Herald Sun, Jack Martin might be the latest player the Cats take a chance on.
Martin was one of five Blues players that were delisted by the team last week. Due to injury struggles, Martin played in just 54 games over his five seasons with the team.
The 29-year-old has only made three games for Carlton this season. According to Clark, the Cats have emerged as a “serious contender,” despite the fact that he has reportedly had a medical at Fremantle amid interest from the Dockers.
Despite the Dockers’ “strong interest,” Martin “would prefer to stay in Melbourne,” according to Clark.
“It puts the Cats in a really good position,” Clark continued on Tuesday night’s Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle.
In an attempt to lure Martin to Geelong, Clark proposed a two-year contract worth between $350,000 and $400,000 per season, calling it a “low-cost and risk-free” move.
Clark remarked, “The Cats have been masters in this area.”
They locate the experienced guy, who may have had a couple injuries, and they put him right in. He is quite talented. If they can get his body perfect, I believe the Cats have a great chance of having him fit into the best 22.
Former Geelong list boss and now football manager Andrew Mackie spoke to Clark back in 2022, revealing how the team had been able to consistently stay competitive — and his words remain relevant to this day considering the risk versus reward debate that comes with targeting Martin.
“What we do know is this competition is even, so if you make a binary decision to say, ‘We are rebuilding’ then that is potential pain for a long time,” Mackie said at the time.
“What’s the point of being conservative and safe?
“We could do that. But we are really open and OK to explore outside the norm. We have had to. If we see something like, we aren’t afraid to pull the trigger.”
The Herald Sun’s Josh Barnes pointed to Gary Ablett and Gary Rohan as some examples of Geelong’s success with that approach, although he also brought up the likes of Jonathon Ceglar, Shaun Higgins, Josh Jenkins, Jack Steven and Aaron Black as proof it doesn’t always work out.
“I’m not sure where Jack Martin fits in this Geelong forward line,” Barnes said.
“They like to play Tyson Stengle close to goal, everyone else runs really hard. He’s going to have to have a massive off-season if he’s going to get a game for Geelong.”
KENNEDY’S FUTURE AT BLUES ‘IN THE AIR’ AFTER ‘HONEST CONVERSATION’
In other news, Matt Kennedy’s future at Carlton is doubtful following what Barnes called a “honest conversation” with the team earlier this week.
Kennedy has a contract with the Blues through the following season, and while it is currently seen more likely that he will stay put, it is still possible the 27-year-old would go elsewhere if he wants more midfield playing time.
Kennedy is reportedly one of three players who have been instructed by the Blues to think about their future. According to Seven’s Mitch Cleary, Kennedy wants to play more as an inside midfielder while Carlton wants him to play at half-forward.
Speaking on the Midweek Tackle, Barnes emphasized that Kennedy is “much-loved” at Carlton and that, although candid, he wasn’t attempting to force him out of the meeting he had earlier this week with Blues executives.
Barnes stated, “If you would like to play more midfield, you’re not going to do it at Carlton. They’re not saying pack up your bags.”
“You’ll most likely carry out that action elsewhere. Patrick Cripps is in the middle, so they don’t really need any more large players. They require midway speed.
“He’s free to explore if he can discover a place where he would prefer to play. He has a deal for the following year.
Kennedy is “more likely” to attend Carlton next year, according to information released by his team on Tuesday, although Barnes noted that it is still “really in the air” if he will choose to test the market.
Barnes stated, “I think they were surprised because they haven’t even looked at the market yet.”
“He is adored within Carlton. There, his partner plays a significant role in the social scene. This week, he finished up after playing his 100th game. Everything revolved around him. The players love him, really. He needs to be transparent right now.
Barnes highlighted Adelaide and West Coast as interstate prospects, as well as North Melbourne, Geelong, and Collingwood as potential suitors based on team fit, even though no teams have reportedly indicated interest in Kennedy.
DANGERFIELD TO GET HIS GEELONG WISH
Speaking of the Cats, Jon Ralph reported on the Midweek Tackle that Patrick Dangerfield is set to get the two-year extension he is after at the end of the season.
Dangerfield’s focus is understandably on guiding the Cats to a flag, with Ralph adding that for the time being both the club and his manager are “waiting until he gets through the season unscathed” to put pen to paper.
Once that happens, Dangerfield will get his wish of a multi-year deal to remain at Geelong.
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