David King believes Geelong is the number one destination club in the AFL right now.
Looking at a number of factors, including chances of success, environment, lifestyle and opportunity, the North Melbourne premiership player believes the Cats tick every box.
King went through what makes clubs attractive for prospective trade targets.
“I think it can shift depending on what sort of premiership opportunity you’re providing,” he told SEN Breakfast.
“So Hawthorn traditionally in the last decade have been able to grab players pretty comfortably, it’s a lot tougher now.
“So outside of premiership opportunity, what else is there? Is it the facilities? Is it the environment?
“I look at the West Coast Eagles, they’ve got that new facility at Lathlain that I think is absolutely unbelievable, they’ve got opportunities outside of football being a two-team town.
“The Swans, players want to go there because their role is guaranteed, they’re getting you for a specific purpose. There’s a predictability to the way they play because they haven’t changed in eons.”
The Cats were prolific in the trade period, bringing in Jeremy Cameron and Shaun Higgins as well as Isaac Smith via free agency.
King outlined why he thinks Geelong currently sits above the other 17 teams.
“I think Geelong right now are the number one destination club for a whole host of reasons,” he said.
“And I think the actual area of Geelong, the new-look Geelong, it’s the boom, everyone wants to live there, they’ve got the beaches around the corner, they’ve got the lifestyle without the hustle and bustle and I think there’s a real attraction in that.
“I do think Geelong now with their ability to offer the lifestyle, it’s something that’s thrown into the mix that’s totally different.
“Jeremy Cameron would’ve looked at that and said ‘my boat can be a kilometre down the road and I’m away from football straight away’.
“I think the coach (Chris Scott) is very flexible in the times he wants these players at the football club.
“I hear Patrick Dangerfield talk all the time how they treat their players like they’re family. Every decision is made around freeing up as much time as they possibly can have and getting away from football.
“I do think the Geelong lifestyle is something other clubs are having trouble contending with.”