2015 Trade Period

The biggest trade in 2015, and quite possibly Geelong's biggest ever trade, saw superstar midfielder Patrick Dangerfield return home and pull on the blue and white hoops.

Geelong gave away a player and a pair of reasonably high draft picks, but in return they got one of the greatest players in the modern era. 

It is safe to say that it was a successful trade, Dangerfield going on to win a Brownlow Medal, a premiership, five All-Australian blazers and numerous other accolades in his time with Geelong, while also captaining the club over the past three seasons. 

2016 Trade Period

Another stroke of brilliance from Geelong's recruiting team saw Irish legend Zach Tuohy join the Cats at the end of the 2016 season. 

Geelong got Zach Tuohy and a second-round pick, giving up a first-round draft selection and two other assets to seal the deal. 

Tuohy went on to break the record for the most V/AFL games by an Irish player, featuring prominently in Geelong's 2022 premiership player and becoming a fan favourite during his eight years with the club. 

2017 Trade Period

Cats fans everywhere rejoiced in the 2017 trade period when favourite son Gary Ablett Junior returned home after a stint on the Gold Coast. 

A number of draft picks swapped hands but it saw the Little Master come back to GMHBA Stadium, where he would spend the final three seasons of his illustrious career. 

Ablett had a strong impact across his last years at the top level, helping guide the Cats back to the Grand Final in 2020 before calling time on his career at the end of the season. 

2018 Trade Period

In the midst of some very busy trade years for Geelong, they also managed to secure Gary Rohan from Sydney in exchange for pick 62 in 2018. 

The speedy forward went on to play 98 games and kick 120 goals over six years at the club, also featuring in the 2022 premiership.

Geelong fans will forever remember his performance in the 2022 Qualifying Final, where he played a dominant game to help the Cats defeat Collingwood in a thrilling match at the MCG. 

2019 Trade Period

An absolute blockbuster trade unfolded in 2019 as midfielder Tim Kelly requested a trade home, moving to West Coast after two seasons with Geelong.

The Cats made sure to get the absolute maximum out of the trade securing three first-round draft picks in exchange for Kelly. 

With some further moves, Geelong were able to set themselves up with strong draft capital, which ultimately unlocked another mega trade that happened 12 months later. 

2020 Trade Period

The Patrick Dangerfield trade is among Geelong's best ever deals, but an argument could be made that the Jeremy Cameron exchange has been even more important in the Cats quest for glory. 

Geelong flicked three high draft selections to GWS to secure the services of Cameron, one of the best key forwards in the modern era, and it has paid dividends as time has gone on. 

Since joining at the end of 2020, Cameron has featured in a premiership with Geelong, won three All-Australian blazers, claimed another Coleman Medal and accumulated several other awards. 

At 32 years of age and coming off a career-best year, Cameron is certainly not finished heading into 2026 and beyond. 

2022 Trade Period

Geelong were very busy in the 2022 trade period, featuring in a number of deals that helped to set up the future of the club. 

The most significant exchange saw the Cats receive Jack Bowes and pick 7 from Gold Coast, which would ultimately turn into tough on-baller Jhye Clark. 

They also picked up Ollie Henry from Collingwood to join brother Jack, adding valuable depth for Geelong's forward line heading into coming years. 

2023 Trade Period

On paper this trade did not look like much from a Geelong perspective, but what it turned into over the coming years is what made this exchange special. 

Pick 25 became exciting ruckman Mitch Edwards, while pick 76 was used on tough midfielder George Stevens. 

But the final selection was used to draft Lawson Humphries from Western Australia, who has quickly become a staple in Geelong's defensive unit. 

2024 Trade Period

One trade that will continue to become more and more important as the years roll on, Geelong secured star midfielder Bailey Smith at the end of 2024. 

In his first year at the club, Smith went on to finish third in the Brownlow Medal and second at the Carji Greeves Medal, cementing his status as one of the league's best on-ballers. 

Smith accumulated 30 disposals or more on 14 occasions during his inaugural season with the club, setting up an exciting future in the hoops.