Geelong reportedly have their eyes set on local product Jhye Clark with their first pick in this month’s AFL Draft.
With Joel Selwood retiring, the reigning premiers could pick up a young midfield gun to replace him in Clark, who starred for Vic Country and the Geelong Falcons in his Under-18 season.
While Clark’s draft range is right around the Cats’ first pick – which currently sits at No. 7 overall - AFL Media’s Cal Twomey believes there’s a chance he’s already off the board by the time Geelong read out their selection.
“Jhye Clark (is the player Geelong have been linked to), if he gets there,” Twomey said on SEN Sportsday.
“So, there’s a bit of interest there before pick seven as well.
“I think he’d be in the mix for Gold Coast and also the Hawks.
“There’s a bit of a wait there to see what the Cats do with pick seven and what they need.”
Luckily for Geelong, they won’t be short of viable midfield options if they miss out on Clark as Twomey named two youngsters that would also be in their calculations.
“The other midfielders that could be around there is Cam McKenzie – who is a little bit of a different player to Jhye,” Twomey said.
“Jhye is about a 181-182cm sized mid, but he’s tough, competitive and a leader and he’s got the steely edge to him, while Cam McKenzie is about 188cm, he’d be around there.
“Mattaes Phillipou is another one, he’s definitely in that mix I think.”
Clark and other likely first-round picks will hope to have their name read out on the first night of the 2022 National Draft on Monday, November 28.