Geelong Cats Draft Picks Tracker

So you want to keep tabs on how the Cats are building for the future through the AFL Draft? Smart move. Whether you're a die-hard who remembers every draft since the 2007 premiership or a newer fan trying to figure out why everyone gets excited about pick 18, tracking draft picks is one of the most rewarding ways to follow the club's long-term strategy.

Think of it like this: while the premiership decider in September is where legends are made, the draft is where the foundation gets laid. And for a club like Geelong, which has been a consistent finals contender for over a decade, understanding how we acquire and use draft capital is practically a superpower.

In this guide, I'll walk you through exactly how to track the Cats' draft picks, what to look for, and how to avoid the common pitfalls that trip up even seasoned fans. By the end, you'll have a practical system you can use for the 2025 AFL season and beyond.

What You'll Need to Get Started

Before we dive into the step-by-step, let's make sure you have the basics covered. You don't need to be a salary cap expert or have a spreadsheet obsession (though that helps), but a few things will make this much easier.

First, a reliable source for draft order. The AFL releases an official draft order after each round of trades, but it changes constantly during trade period. I recommend bookmarking the AFL's official draft tracker page, plus following a few reputable draft analysts on social media. The key is to find sources that update in real-time, because nothing ages faster than a draft pick list during October.

Second, understand the basics of pick value. Not all picks are created equal. A pick in the top 10 is gold, while a pick in the 50s is more of a lottery ticket. The AFL uses a points system for matching bids on academy and father-son selections, so knowing the rough value of each pick helps you understand trades. For example, pick 1 is worth 3000 points, while pick 18 (where Geelong often picks) is worth about 985 points.

Third, keep track of trades involving the Cats. Geelong is notoriously active during trade period, and Coach Scott's list management team loves to move picks around. A pick that starts the year at 18 might end up being 25 after compensation picks, or it might be traded away entirely for a ready-made player. Stay flexible.

Finally, have a system for recording. This can be a simple notebook, a Google Sheet, or even a notes app on your phone. The goal is to have a single place where you can see all the Cats' picks at a glance. Trust me, trying to remember this stuff in your head during trade period is a recipe for confusion.

Step 1: Find the Official Draft Order

Your first task is to locate the most current version of the AFL Draft order. The official AFL website publishes this after the Grand Final, but it gets updated throughout trade period and the weeks leading up to the draft itself.

Here's what to do: Go to the AFL website and search for "2025 AFL Draft Order." You'll find a page that lists every club's picks by round. Look for the Geelong Cats section specifically. At this point, you should see something like:

• Round 1: Pick 18 (estimated)
• Round 2: Pick 36 (estimated)
• Round 3: Pick 54 (estimated)
• Round 4: Pick 72 (estimated)

But here's the catch: these are estimated positions. The actual pick numbers shift based on compensation picks, free agency departures, and trades that happen after the order is first published. So treat the initial list as a starting point, not a final answer.

Pro tip: Take a screenshot of the order on the day it's first released. Then compare it to the final order on draft night. You'll be amazed at how much it changes.

Step 2: Track Trades Involving the Cats

Geelong is one of the most active clubs during trade period, and we love to wheel and deal. The Cats have a reputation for trading future picks to bring in established talent, which means our draft hand can look very different in November than it did in August.

Start by following the trade period live. The AFL trade period usually runs for about two weeks in October. During this time, every trade involving the Cats gets announced, and each one affects our picks. Here's a typical scenario:

• Geelong trades its 2025 second-round pick to another club for a player
• The Cats receive a 2025 third-round pick back as part of the deal
• Suddenly, your tracker needs updating

Create a simple log of every trade. For each one, note:

• What pick(s) Geelong gave up
• What pick(s) Geelong received
• The date of the trade

After trade period ends, the AFL releases a final order with all trades applied. This is your definitive source for the draft.

Common mistake: Assuming the first published order is final. It's not. Check back daily during trade period, because picks can move multiple times.

Step 3: Understand How Finishing Position Affects Picks

Here's where it gets interesting. The AFL Draft order is based on the previous season's ladder position, but with a twist. The bottom clubs get the highest picks (1, 2, 3, etc.), while the premiers pick last in each round.

For Geelong, which has been a top-four or top-eight side for years, this means we're usually picking in the 15-20 range in the first round. But that can change if we trade up or down.

Here's the key thing to watch: compensation picks. When a club loses a free agent, the AFL awards them a compensatory pick. These picks are inserted into the draft order, which pushes every other pick back. So if Geelong finishes 5th and expects pick 18, but three compensation picks are awarded before that, we suddenly have pick 21.

To track this accurately, you need to:

• Know where Geelong finished on the ladder
• Check for any compensation picks awarded (usually announced in late October)
• Adjust your tracker accordingly

Pro tip: Use a draft order calculator. Several websites offer tools where you input a club's finishing position and it calculates the estimated pick numbers. These aren't perfect, but they're close enough for planning.

Step 4: Factor in Father-Son and Academy Bids

This is the step that trips up most casual fans. The AFL's bidding system for father-son and academy selections can completely change a club's draft strategy, and it affects Geelong's picks too.

Here's how it works: If another club nominates a father-son or academy player, the club that has first rights to that player can match the bid using draft points. The points are deducted from that club's picks, which then move down the order.

For Geelong, this matters because:

• We might have a father-son prospect in a given year
• Other clubs' bids can push our picks back
• We might trade for extra points to match a bid

To track this, you need to know which players are eligible as father-son or academy selections. The AFL publishes a list of eligible players a few weeks before the draft. For each one, note:

• Which club has first rights
• The estimated bid range (early, mid, late draft)
• How that bid would affect Geelong's picks if matched

Common mistake: Ignoring bids entirely. Even if Geelong isn't matching a bid, another club's successful bid can push our picks back by several spots.

Step 5: Create Your Personal Tracker

Now it's time to put it all together. Your personal draft picks tracker should be a living document that you update as new information comes in. Here's a simple format:

Geelong Cats 2025 Draft Picks

Update this after every trade, every compensation pick announcement, and every day during trade period. Yes, it's a bit obsessive, but that's the point. You want to be the person who knows exactly what the Cats are working with.

Pro tip: Color-code your tracker. Green for picks that are confirmed, yellow for estimated, and red for picks that might be traded away. This gives you a quick visual read on your draft capital.

Step 6: Watch for Late Changes

The draft itself is where final surprises happen. Even after the order is set, clubs can trade picks during the draft. This is rare, but it does happen.

During the draft broadcast, keep an eye on the ticker for trade announcements. If Geelong trades up or down, update your tracker immediately. Also watch for live bid matching, which can change pick numbers on the fly.

Common mistake: Assuming the draft order is static once the event starts. It isn't. Stay alert until the Cats make their final selection.

Pro Tips for Draft Pick Tracking

Here are a few insider tips that will save you time and frustration:

1. Use multiple sources. Don't rely on a single website or Twitter account. Cross-reference the AFL's official order with at least two independent trackers. If they disagree, dig deeper.

2. Understand pick swaps. Sometimes clubs trade picks for future picks. For example, Geelong might trade its 2025 first-round pick for a 2026 first-round pick. This means you need to track future picks too, not just the current year.

3. Know the points system. The AFL's draft points system is your best friend when evaluating trades. If Geelong trades pick 18 (985 points) for pick 25 (756 points) and pick 40 (429 points), that's a net gain of 200 points. Knowing this helps you understand the logic behind trades.

4. Follow the right accounts. On Twitter or social media, follow draft analysts who specialize in Geelong. They'll have insider knowledge about our list strategy and potential targets.

5. Don't forget about the Geelong VFL. Our reserves team often has players who are overlooked in the draft but later picked up as rookies. Keep an eye on VFL performances, especially for mature-age recruits.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

I've seen even experienced fans make these errors. Don't let them trip you up.

Mistake #1: Confusing pick numbers with draft order. Pick 18 doesn't mean the 18th player selected. It means the 18th selection in the draft, but compensation picks and bids can change the actual order of selections.

Mistake #2: Ignoring the rookie draft. The Cats often find gems in the rookie draft. While this guide focuses on the national draft, keep a separate tracker for rookie picks.

Mistake #3: Assuming picks are set after the trade deadline. They aren't. The AFL finalizes the order a few days before the draft, and even then, live trades can change things.

Mistake #4: Forgetting about list sizes. Geelong can only take a certain number of players in the draft based on list vacancies. A pick in the 70s might not be used if the list is full.

Mistake #5: Overvaluing late picks. A pick in the 50s or 60s has a low probability of becoming a regular AFL player. Don't get too attached to them.

Your Complete Draft Picks Tracker Checklist

Use this checklist before, during, and after trade period to stay on top of the Cats' draft capital.

Pre-Trade Period (September/October)

• Find the initial AFL draft order
• Note Geelong's estimated picks by round
• Research any father-son or academy prospects linked to the Cats
• Set up your tracking document (spreadsheet, notes, etc.)

During Trade Period (October)

• Check for trade announcements daily
• Update your tracker after every Geelong trade
• Note any compensation picks awarded
• Cross-reference with at least two sources
• Track future picks involved in trades

Post-Trade Period (Late October)

• Find the final AFL draft order
• Update your tracker with confirmed pick numbers
• Research potential Geelong targets at each pick
• Note any list vacancies that might affect picks

Draft Week (November)

• Check for last-minute trades
• Prepare for live bid matching
• Have your tracker open during the draft broadcast
• Update immediately after each Geelong selection

Post-Draft (December)

• Review the Cats' final selections
• Compare to your tracker (how accurate were you?)
• Note any rookie draft additions
• Start thinking about next year's picks

Putting It All Together

Tracking Geelong's draft picks isn't just about knowing numbers; it's about understanding the club's strategy. When you see the Cats trade a future first-round pick for an established player, you'll know it means Coach Scott and the list management team believe we're in a premiership window. When they stockpile picks, it signals a rebuild or a retool.

The 2025 AFL season is going to be fascinating. With the Kardinia Park redevelopment complete and a squad that's been in finals contention for years, the Cats are in a unique position. Our draft strategy will tell you a lot about where the club thinks it's heading.

Start your tracker now, even if the draft feels far away. The information you gather will make trade period and draft night infinitely more enjoyable. And who knows? You might spot a future Brownlow Medalist before anyone else does.

For more on how individual performances can influence draft decisions, check out our guide to Geelong's Brownlow Medalists. And if you're planning to watch the draft live, don't miss our Match Day Tips for the best spots to catch all the action.

Now get tracking. The future of the Cats is in those picks.