Cats land Marshall as Blakey chase heats

Geelong has secured St Kilda ruckman Rowan Marshall as the Cats join the growing race for Sydney star Nick Blakey. Photo: AAP

Geelong has bolstered its ruck stocks by securing Rowan Marshall from St Kilda, while the Cats remain among several clubs circling Sydney star Nick Blakey.

The Cats traded pick No.14 in this year’s draft and a third-round selection in 2028 to secure the contracted 30-year-old Marshall.

It is the second consecutive year Marshall has requested a move to Geelong, with his departure coming after St Kilda recruited Tom De Koning as its first-choice ruckman.

Marshall fills an important need for Geelong following Rhys Stanley’s retirement, while 21-year-old Mitchell Edwards continues his development.

Attention is now turning to Blakey, with Geelong among five clubs reportedly interested in the 2024 All-Australian defender.

Blakey is contracted to Sydney until 2031, meaning any deal would be difficult to complete.

Swans list boss Chris Keane told Trade Radio the club remained confident Blakey could return despite speculation surrounding his future.

“As we sit here right now, these are all hypotheticals,” Keane said.

“It’s certainly not something we’ve actively pursued, and we feel confident that he could walk back into our footy club.”

Keane said Blakey’s ability and long-term contract would make a trade significantly challenging.

Geelong’s capacity to strike another major deal is complicated by its reduced draft hand following moves for Marshall and Essendon defender Jordan Ridley.

North Melbourne, Essendon, Gold Coast and St Kilda have also been linked with Blakey.

Any potential move comes amid an ongoing police investigation into an alleged sexual assault at Melbourne’s Pullman Hotel. Blakey and fellow Swans Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner and James Jordon have been interviewed by police, with no charges laid.

Elsewhere, Hawthorn youngster Aidan Schubert has agreed to be traded to Gold Coast in a deal expected to help clear the way for Suns forward Ben King to join the Hawks as a free agent.

The AFL trade period closes on Wednesday evening.