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Cats won't give up players for Cameron

3 minute read

Geelong are standing firm on their AFL trade offer of two first-round draft picks for Greater Western Sydney forward Jeremy Cameron.

JEREMY CAMERON.
JEREMY CAMERON. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Geelong are adamant no players will be part of an AFL trade deal with Greater Western Sydney for star forward Jeremy Cameron.

The clubs remain at loggerheads ahead of Thursday night's trade deadline, with the Cats having already offered up two first-round draft picks.

They currently hold selections 13, 15 and 20 in the first round of this year's national draft.

Talented midfielder Brandan Parfitt was already off the trade table and Geelong list manager Stephen Wells on Wednesday said Esava Ratugolea and Jordan Clark are not going anywhere.

He said Charlie Constable is open to exploring other opportunities, but the fringe midfielder is of no interest to the Giants.

Geelong's offer of two first-round picks is almost double what GWS would have received from the AFL as compensation for losing Cameron if they had not matched the Cats' bid for the restricted free agent.

"We've had good discussions with GWS and I'd be surprised if it's done today (Wednesday), but it could be," Wells told SEN.

"We're still working on it and both parties are hopeful that it can happen.

"It's fair to say we want to try and make sure that GWS do better than they would have with the free agency compensation, so obviously our first-round draft picks are the ones that are going to be able to help in that scenario.

"There's combinations available and then of course things coming back the other way as well."

Wells said the Cats were unsure they would be able to secure Cameron via the pre-season draft if they end up needing to go down that route.

Geelong have let injury-riddled Nakia Cockatoo (Brisbane) and fringe player Lachie Fogarty (Carlton) go to rival clubs in exchange for draft picks.

But they have added veteran North Melbourne midfielder Shaun Higgins after already landing Hawthorn premiership hero Isaac Smith as a free agent.

The Cats sent pick 30 (acquired in the Fogarty trade) to the Kangaroos for Higgins, who has played 237 games and is a dual best-and-fairest winner at North.

"We have always liked Shaun as a player and we are happy that we could work with Shaun, his management and North Melbourne to get this trade completed," Wells said.

"Shaun is a very talented and accomplished player and he can fill a number of roles."

Jack Steven's future remains up in the air, with the former St Kilda midfielder a chance to depart the Cats halfway through a two-year deal.

The troubled midfielder managed just nine games for Geelong.

"Jack's taking some time to think about his future and I'll leave it at that," Wells said.

"It's up to him now as to what he wants to do, so we'll talk that through a bit more once Jack's had a good think."

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