Geelong ruck Rhys Stanley has shared more details on the Cats’ secret meeting with Melbourne superstar Clayton Oliver.
Oliver’s future was thrust into the spotlight after it emerged clubs were willing to make a play for the gun midfielder and Geelong were at the top of the list.
The 27-year-old met with a group of Geelong senior players and officials at Stanley’s farm on the eve of the trade period.
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Oliver reportedly wanted to be traded to the Cats, but the issue was put to bed by Melbourne before the trade period even begun.
Nearly a month on from the meeting at his farm, Stanley has revealed that captain Patrick Dangerfield was the driver behind the secret meet and greet.
Stanley told 7NEWS he had no idea what to expect when he received a message from the skipper that read: “Can I pop over, I wanna bring someone around?”
“I said no worries … and Clarry walks out of the car and I shook his hand.
“I thought hang on a second, what’s going on here, this could be an exciting prospect.”
While that meeting was as far as Geelong got with Oliver, they did land another big fish in Bailey Smith from the Western Bulldogs.
Smith missed the entire 2024 season with an ACL tear and is desperate to get back on the park.
“He was at training the other day and wanted to kick the footy and we weren’t quite there yet but I’m excited to see what he can do with us,” Stanley said.
Stanley recently inked a fresh one-year contract extension to take him through to the end of next year.
The Cats also confirmed the signing of delisted Blue Jack Martin on Friday as they look to challenge for the flag again in 2025.
“Patrick Dangerfield reached out about a month ago,” Martin said.
“It’s always nice when you get a text like that. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone over the next few weeks.”