Geelong has a rich history in the trade period, securing some remarkable players and future-altering draft picks that have helped the club to achieve sustained success. 

Of course, there are the big exchanges that all Cats fans will remember, bringing in the likes of Jeremy Cameron, Patrick Dangerfield and Bailey Smith. 

But along the journey, there have also been some more underrated trades that have helped to build Geelong's future, particularly helping to lead the club to premierships. 

We attempt to rank the top 10 trades in Geelong's history. See the list and a number of honourable mentions below. 

05:25

Rowan Marshall's first day in the Hoops

Rowan Marshall arrived for day 1 of his time at Geelong, hear what he had to say speaking to Cats Media. Proudly Presented by Mitre 10.

1. 2015 – Dangerfield Returns Home

Geelong RECEIVE: Patrick Dangerfield and Pick 50

Geelong GIVE: Dean Gore, Pick 9 (Wayne Milera) and Pick 28 (Mitch Hibberd)

The biggest fish Geelong's has landed is none other than Patrick Dangerfield, with the champion midfield returning home at the end of 2015 in one of the biggest blockbuster trades ever seen. 

His resume speaks for itself, including a premiership, a Brownlow Medal, three Carji Greeves Medals and five All Australian selections, all coming in his time with the Cats. 

Dangerfield has also captained the team over the last four years, highly regarded as one of the greatest players in the modern era, earning him the mantle as Geelong's best trade. 

2.     1999 – A Historic Haul Sets Up the Future

Geelong RECEIVE: Cameron Mooney, Picks 15, 17 and 47 (Corey Enright)

Geelong GIVE: Leigh Colbert, Picks 53 and 67

It took a little while for this trade to develop for Geelong, but the end result was outstanding as they secured both Corey Enright and Cameron Mooney off the back of an exchange with North Melbourne. 

Enright went on to play 332 games in the Hoops, helping the Cats win three premierships and claiming two Carji Greeves Medals, six All Australian blazers and more recently, he was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame. 

Mooney featured in over 200 games for the Cats and featured in two premierships, while making the 2007 All Australian team and leading Geelong's goal kicking on two occasions.  

Corey Enright with the 2007 Premiership Cup

3.     2020 - Blockbuster Swap Brings Jezza to Kardinia Park 

Geelong RECEIVE: Jeremy Cameron & Two Future Second Round Picks 

Geelong GIVE: Picks 13, 15, 20 & Future Fourth Round

Still regarded as one of the biggest deals in AFL history, Geelong secured Jeremy Cameron at the end of 2020 in exchange for three first-round draft picks. 

'Jezza' has been incredible during his time in the Hoops, helping lead the Cats to the 2022 premiership, while also making three All Australian teams, winning another Coleman Medal and a Carji Greeves Medal. 

He has kicked 350 goals from his 128 games at Geelong, firmly establishing himself as one of the greatest forwards in the modern era, with plenty still to come in 2027 and beyond. 

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 12: Jeremy Cameron of the Cats poses for a photograph at GMHBA Stadium on January 12, 2021 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)

4.  1999 - Another Monumental Swap at the Turn of the Century

Geelong RECEIVE: Pick 31 (Paul Chapman)

Geelong GIVE: Michael Mansfield

Michael Mansfield had been a solid player for Geelong over quite a few years, but there is no denying the output of Paul Chapman and how successful this trade was for the Cats. 

The hard-nosed Cat was instrumental in the club's golden era between 2007 and 2011, playing a key role in all three premierships and winning the Norm Smith Medal in 2009. 

Chapman also won a Carji Greeves Medal in 2006 and received two All Australian blazers along the journey, showing remarkable consistency across 251 games in the Hoops. 

5. 2004 – Bolstering the Ruck with Brad Ottens 

Geelong RECEIVE: Brad Ottens 

Geelong GIVE: Picks 12 (Danny Meyer) and 16 (Adam Pattison)

Widely considered the key that unlocked Geelong's three premierships, the Cats were able to secure dominant ruckman Brad Ottens at the end of 2004. 

Over seven seasons in the Hoops, Ottens played 116 games and played a big part in the club's success, voted as Geelong's best player in the 2007 Preliminary Final win over Collingwood. 

He also had a number of big moments in the 2011 Grand Final, which would prove to be his final AFL game before retiring at the end of 2011. 

6.     2009 - Mr Reliable Becomes a Cat

Geelong RECEIVE: Pick 28 (Mitch Duncan)

Geelong GIVE: Shane Mumford

The quiet achiever and one of Geelong's most consistent performers over a long period of time, the 2009 trade with Sydney gave the Cats the opportunity to recruit Mitch Duncan. 

One of the most underrated players in the game at his peak, Duncan was damaging both through the midfield and across half back, regarded as one of the AFL's best kicks. 

He went on to play 305 games in the Hoops, featuring in two premierships and will forever be etched into Geelong folklore as one of the best players to play for the Cats. 

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 24: Mitch Duncan of the Cats and Tom Hawkins of the Cats celebrate winning the 2022 AFL Grand Final match between the Geelong Cats and the Sydney Swans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 24, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/AFL Photos)

7.  2024 - Superstar Midfielder and a Dragon Arrive

Geelong RECEIVE: Bailey Smith, Pick 45 (Jay Polkinghorne)

Geelong GIVE: Picks 17 and 38

This is a deal that is seemingly rising up the ranks each week, but the 2024 deal to bring Bailey Smith to the Cattery has been nothing but a success so far. 

In two years with Geelong, Smith has earned two selections in the All Australian team, won the AFLCA's Champion Player of the Year Award and a Carji Greeves Medal, while also helping to lead the club to a Grand Final in his first season with the Cats. 

The deal also included pick 45 which Geelong used to draft Jay Polkinghorne, who showed plenty of potential across eight games at the elite level to end the 2026 season. 

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 04: Bailey Smith of the Cats celebrates a goal during the 2026 AFL First Elimination Final between the Geelong Cats and the Carlton Blues at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 4, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)

8. 2001 - Cats Secure Three-Time Premiership Player

Geelong RECEIVE: Pick 17 (James Kelly) and Pick 41

Geelong GIVE: Clint Bizzell

Another big piece in Geelong's successful era came in 2001, when the Cats were able to secure James Kelly as part of an exchange with Melbourne. 

Kelly went on to play 273 games in the Hoops over 14 seasons, featuring in all three AFL premierships, while also winning a VFL and two pre-season premierships. 

The tough Cat was selected in the 2011 All Australian team, and also won the Jim Stynes Medal as Australia's best player in the 2011 International Rules Series against Ireland.

9.     2020 – Geelong Secure Some Dash in Bold Move

Geelong Receive: Pick 20 (Max Holmes)

Geelong Give: Future First Round Pick (Tom Brown)

Another trade that is growing in stature by the year, Geelong made a bold call to swap draft picks with Richmond, in order to recruit Max Holmes in 2020. 

Holmes has played 122 games for the Cats over the past six seasons, winning back-to-back Carji Greeves Medals in 2024 and 2025, also making the All Australian squad in three consecutive seasons. 

Regarded as one of the competition's most damaging player and still just 24 years of age, there is still plenty of room for this trade to move up the ranks in the coming years. 

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - MAY 02: Max Holmes of the Cats celebrates a goal during the 2026 AFL Round 08 match between the Geelong Cats and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at GMHBA Stadium on May 2, 2026 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)

10. 2017 – A Favourite Son Returns, With an Added Bonus 

Geelong RECEIVE: Gary Ablett Jr, Pick 24 (Tim Kelly), Future Fourth Round Pick

Geelong GIVE: Pick 19 (Wil Powell), Future Second Round Pick

One of the greatest players the game has ever seen returned home in 2017, with Gary Ablett Junior moving back to Geelong to play out the final three seasons of his career. 

He was still able to produce plenty of great moments and averaged over a goal per game, capping off a stellar journey at the elite level which concluded after the 2020 Grand Final. 

The Cats also turned pick 24 into Tim Kelly, who provided two brilliant seasons in the Hoops before returning home to Western Australia, in a deal that gave Geelong the pieces they needed to trade for Jeremy Cameron the following year. 

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 17: Gary Ablett of the Cats celebrates after scoring a goal during the AFL 2nd Preliminary Final match between the Brisbane Lions and the Geelong Cats at The Gabba on October 17, 2020 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

Honourable Mentions

1988

Geelong Receive: Ken Hinkley
Geelong Give: Pick 48

1994

Geelong Receive: Brenton Sanderson
Geelong Give: Pick 53

1998

Geelong Receive: Tom Harley
Geelong Give: Pick 37

1998

Geelong Receive: Scott Bamford, Tristan Lynch, Pick 17 (Peter Street), Pick 24 (David Wojcinski)
Geelong Give: Martin McKinnon, Pick 5

2000

Geelong Receive: Pick 44 (Josh Hunt)
Geelong Give: Carl Steinfort

2016

Geelong Receive: Zach Tuohy & Future Second Round Pick (Lachlan Fogarty)
Geelong Give: Billie Smedts, Pick 63 (Cameron Polson) & Future First Round Pick

2023 

Geelong Receive: Pick 25 (Mitch Edwards), Pick 76 (George Stevens) and Pick 94 (Lawson Humphries)
Geelong Give: Esava Ratugolea

2023

Geelong Receive: Pick 11 (Connor O'Sullivan) and Pick 31 (Shaun Mannagh)
Geelong Give: Pick 10 (Nate Caddy)