Upgrade on MacDonald you would think

I would have thought with the introduction of FAs, the pre-season draft will almost become a non-event.

geelong needed a replacement for Scarlett and punted this bloke , not overly excited about him , but trust the footy dept

wasn't that keen on STILLER, not that keen on GILLIES either,

Correct me if I'm wrong, but is there not a second delisted free agency period in the week immediately after the draft?

In which case, we don't have to lock Gillies in by 2pm?

I think Gillies is heavily involved with the Pies.

From up Bendigo way.

Looks slightly flakey but proven consistent over time

Comes full beefed up .

To use a Mcavaney. He sounds delicious. Actually always thought Gillies was an underrated pie. Not quite your Villi's pie but not far off it.

I would have thought with the introduction of FAs, the pre-season draft will almost become a non-event.

although one advantage of the pre-season draft is that it gives clubs a few extra weeks to look at players they've invited to train with them.

I would think that we would have to let him know if we want him soon, or otherwise we are stuffing up his chances.

If he goes into the ND, then we have passed on him. If not he is probably ours.

Don't know a lot about him but he is our favourite height 192cms.

Signed today we got him as a delisted free agent

Signed today we got him as a delisted free agent

Here;s the link: Gillies joins Dees

This is another cool pickup by the Dees, another big body, again not sure why he fell out of favour at the Cats but who cares.....welcome to the Dees Tom,

Gillies joins Dees

Gee ... they didn't mess around with this guy did they?

He was training for what 5 mins!!!

I think most guys from the Cats current era know what it takes so good pickup.

Groan.

The Cats were keen to retain his services pre 2012 when the Hawks were chasing his services - must have some talent.

Good for key defensive depth. We have a large number of talls on the list. We might be the tallest club in the league now. I'd like to see us sign some midfielders, as it's still our weakness and we have to get the ball in the first place!

Called this earier in the thread ;-)

Hopefully he can prove himself and step up as a possible replacement for Rivers. Welcome abroad Tom!

I saw him train yesterday. He is a big unit, and was running laps with Viney, Sellar, Jetta and Byrnes. They did a heap of laps and he was stuffed when time was called. Not too sure how is fitness is at the moment, but he did have very strong hands in the drills using the footy. I would consider Sellar in front of him currently but you never know.

Geelong did not want to surrender him to Hawthorn because he was the likely replacement for Scarlett so there must be something about him. I reckon Byrnes might have had a word in the coach's ear because he was nowhere on our radar only one week ago.

As I think about training yesterday, there are almost no small bodies left on our list. I haven't seen Barry, Viney is AFL size ready, and we have traded Rodan, Dawes, Byrnes, Pederson and now Gillies. We might not reach finals in 2013 but I don't reckon we will be pushed off the ball too easily. If anyone is not up to it all the fringe players have size. I really hope we draft some outside run.

Does this mean we now have 3 live picks in the national draft?

Just a question on this. If he is signed, could we have ND4,ND27,ND49 and PSD3? (ie.no ND53 makes way)

You have it right HT. Just took away some uncertainty at 53 for a developed player from a good club. Similar size to Rivers and 6 years younger. Hopefully he can play.

I would have thought with the introduction of FAs, the pre-season draft will almost become a non-event.

Since we could have first live pick, if Tippett goes to GWS and GC don't participate, it could be handy if someone falls out with his club. Also it would be the only way we could get Ben Jacobs if he agreed to come to us.

Does this mean we now have 3 live picks in the national draft?

Possibly two if you want to use the PSD3 pick.

I'm happy to write off pick 70 but I'll be really disappointed if we don't use pick 53 in the National Draft.

Joel MacDonald and Gillies are very similar tough, third tall defenders with ordinary disposal. We also have Garland, Watts and Dunn back there as third tall options. Time for MacDonald to now get the flick and take the best midfielder available with 53.

Jump on the Draft portal and watch Will Hams, Nick Rippon and Jake Lloyd's highlights. You should still get a decent midfield prospect at 53.

Jump on the Draft portal and watch Will Hams, Nick Rippon and Jake Lloyd's highlights. You should still get a decent midfield prospect at 53.

I agree, Nick Rippon could become quite a player and worth pick 49 or 53. Would also look at Shane Nelson as another possible pick up, really lifted his game this season after missing out last year

Good get.

Surely spells the end for one of Sellar, MacDonald or Dunn. Depth is good, but I don't really see the need to be holding on to all of them.