Why Geelong would be “crazy” not to go after a ruckman and the depth ruck who should be targeted

Kane Cornes believes teams should ask the question of Fremantle ruckman Liam Reidy.

Reidy played two games for the Dockers in 2024 and was a rookie selection in 2022.

He is stuck behind Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson at Freo and recently re-signed for the 2025 season.

“If I was a club that needed a ruckman, the one that you must go after is Liam Reidy at Fremantle,” Cornes told AFL Trade Radio.

“He’s a 24-year-old ruckman and he’s got no hope of playing is Luke Jackson and Sean Darcy are fit.

“He may think Darcy breaks down all the time anyway, so I’m going to play anyway.

“He’s 204cm, he’s the exact ruckman you go and get. You go and pick off the rucks who you know aren’t going to be first choice players at their existing clubs. He’s who I’d be going after.”

Cornes believes Geelong must add ruck depth, given Rhys Stanley will be 34 next year and has consistency issues, while young ruckman Toby Conway has his own injury issues.

“If Geelong don’t land a ruck in this trade period, they’re absolutely crazy,” Cornes said.

“Go and watch the Prelim Final and watch Rhys Stanley. He was fine in the Qualifying Final. He can be great one week and hopeless the next week.

“Geelong fans should be furious if they don’t go and address that issue.”

Cornes sees Adelaide ruckman Reilly O’Brien as someone the Cats should target.

“Reilly O’Brien is the other one. He’s out of favour at Adelaide, there’s no doubt about that. He’s more your established ruckman,” Cornes said.

“He was a scapegoat for some of their poor performances this year. He’s a workhorse, he’s a standard-setter, he won the Jim Stynes award at the Brownlow, excellent clubman, trains his backside off and gives you everything he’s got.

“Yes, he doesn’t have some of the tricks other ruckmen have, but I love Reilly O’Brien and think he’s perfect for Geelong.”

O’Brien led the AFL in hit-outs for the 2024 season, winning 898 across 21 games.