Giants skipper Toby Greene has emerged as a plan B option for Geelong if it misses out on Zak Butters in free agency.
Chief Herald Sun reporter Jay Clark has a watch on the Cats to make a “big play” for Greene and continue its mature-age recruiting spree after the 32-year old has put off contract talks with GWS.
Chris Scott’s side has had success by topping up with veterans over the last decade with the likes of Jeremy Cameron, Shaun Higgins and Isaac Smith joining the club.
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And now Clark has posed whether ex-Giant Cameron and Greene, an unrestricted free agent at season’s end and originally from Victoria, could be “reunited” at the Cattery.
“The Cats are absolutely masters at picking off these veterans over the journey,” Clark said on Fox Footy’s The First Crack.
“Don’t be surprised if they make a big play for Toby Greene … his best mate is Jeremy Cameron.
“Contract talks are currently off for now. I understand GWS has a three-year deal on the table.
“I think we’re going to see this man emerge as a plan B (for Geelong).”
While Geelong is a keen suitor for Butters, Clark questioned whether the Cats would be better off giving three first-round picks and up to $2 million in salary cap space for the superstar, or securing Greene for nothing and half the contract value.
But Saints great Leigh Montagna still thinks Butters, 25, should be the priority.
“I’d still be trying to make a play for Zak Butters,” Montagna said.
“My second option, if I can’t get Butters, then definitely I’d be looking at this.”
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Clark added that GWS is “under so much salary cap pressure” and suggested the club had to priorities retraining its budding superstars instead of its veterans like Greene.
“The baton needs to be passed from the originals — Lachie Whitfield, Stephen Coniglio, Josh Kelly, Toby Greene — these sort of guys, to these emerging (rival) targets,” Clark added.
“Because Tasmania is going to throw the kitchen sink at Tom Green and all the rest, Finn Callaghan and Aaron Cadman. That’s where the money needs to go.
“For the Cats, this could be yet another shrewd move. And for GWS, it’s potentially part of the evolution of a team which potentially won’t go all the way this year.
“I think that is a move that will be worth watching while contract talks continues to hold off.”
Asked where he thinks Greene will be playing in 2027, Clark said: “I think Butters goes to the Bulldogs and the Cats make a big crack for Greene.
“Jeremy Cameron cried to Toby Greene when he said he’s leaving GWS in 2020. Maybe there will be some tears of joy this time when the phone call goes the other way.”
CATS’ MATURE AGE MOVES OVER PAST DECADE
2026 – Toby Greene (age 33) as a delisted free agent?
2024 – Jack Martin (29) as a delisted free agent
2021 – Jon Ceglar (30) via trade
2020 – Shaun Higgins (32) via trade
2020 – Isaac Smith (31) as an unrestricted free agent
2020 – Jeremy Cameron (27) via trade
2019 – Josh Jenkins (30) via trade
2019 – Jack Steven (29) via trade
2018 – Luke Dahlhaus (26) as an unrestricted free agent
2017 – Gary Ablett Jr (33) via trade
2017 – Stewart Crameri (29) as a rookie draft pick
2016 – Zach Tuohy (26) via trade
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