Geelong has completed a pair of trades on the opening day of the trade period, with South Adelaide forward Nathan Kreuger set to line up with the Cats in 2019.

Geelong secured Kreuger after trading pick 42 in the national draft to Carlton. Under new AFL rules, the Blues had the opportunity to pre-list two players who have previously been eligible for the draft. Kreuger was eligible for last year’s national draft.

The Cats had secured selection 42 after completing a trade with Brisbane that saw Lincoln McCarthy move to the Lions. In addition to receiving pick 42, the Cats also secured selection 60, while the Lions also acquired picks 54 and 57.

Kreuger is a 19-year-old, 195cm key position player capable of playing at either end of the ground. He broke through to make his SANFL debut in 2018, and went on to kick 22 goals in 13 games.

He represented South Australia at the 2017 national under-18 championships, and he also played with the Flying Boomerangs. Originally from Darwin, Kreuger moved to Adelaide seven years ago. He played with South Adelaide at junior levels, progressing through the reserves to the senior line up. 

“We have been tracking Nathan through the year and have been impressed by his athleticism, skill and versatility,” Geelong’s national recruiting and list manager Stephen Wells said.

“The new rules allowing Carlton and Gold Coast to sign mature players has given us the opportunity to secure Nathan ahead of the draft. We would have been happy to select him with pick 42 but have been able to reach a fair deal with Carlton.

“Nathan played well at senior level this year for South Adelaide and we are excited to add him to our list.”

McCarthy has spent the past seven years at GMHBA Stadium, playing 29 games after debuting in 2012. McCarthy showed great resilience to overcome various injuries in his time at the club.

“Lincoln has been a very popular member of our club and we wish him well with the Lions,” Wells said.