Preliminary ultimate weekend on the MCG introduced a who’s who of the soccer business collectively on the official AFL capabilities contained in the Olympic Room.
While Friday night time was a sit-down dinner, the Saturday twilight match (nice time slot) noticed a extra relaxed, stand-up affair. A stand-up perform permits one to maneuver via the room and mingle.
So it was slightly simpler to come back throughout a supposedly likelihood dialog between Geelong coach Chris Scott and high-profile participant supervisor Robbie D’Orazio.
Robbie D’Orazio, wheeling and dealing.Credit: Stan/Show me the cash
Scott was there scouting the Cats’ grand ultimate opponent, whereas D’Orazio simply occurs to symbolize one of many hottest properties within the upcoming commerce interval, Charlie Curnow.
All events, after all, say there’s nothing to see right here. Just two individuals chatting on the footy. But that’s additionally precisely what D’Orazio and Cats soccer boss Andrew Mackie mentioned this time final 12 months once they had been caught red-handed, sharing crinkle-cut chips at Hank’s Bagelry in Armadale.
“I’m simply right here for the recent chips,” dead-panned D’Orazio on the time. Don’t get me fallacious, Hank’s chips are wonderful. But it’s the type of place you’d go to keep away from the prying eyes of the soccer media. When it involves journalists and soccer and participant motion, we’ve heard of coincidences, we’ve simply by no means seen one.
Hank’s Bagelry (the Chadstone one). Credit: Joe Armao
D’Orazio and Mackie had been truly there to debate the way forward for Bailey Smith, who was then making an attempt to plot his approach out of the Western Bulldogs and down the freeway to Geelong.
Smith could win the Brownlow Medal on Monday night time (he’s second favorite with the bookies), and win a flag on Saturday. So, it’s truthful to say that transfer has labored out alright.
Curnow nonetheless has 4 years to run on his contract at Princes Park, however he’s made it abundantly clear he’d like to complete his profession elsewhere. Sydney have made their intentions recognized to the two-time Coleman medallist and Curnow has met with Swans coach Dean Cox, whereas the Gold Coast have proven some curiosity, though privately the Suns concede a deal to get him north could also be too tough.
Curnow is wanting round. Credit: The Age
So what in regards to the Cats? It would make sense that Curnow would wish to play there. His household is from the Surf Coast, his older brother, Ed, is elevating his household in Torquay and the Curnows do love the water.
But how on earth would the Cats get a commerce get executed? Carlton would nearly actually ask for star midfielder Max Holmes to be a part of the commerce, and Geelong will nearly actually snort that proposition out of the room. So a stalemate would seemingly ensue.
Clearly, the Curnow camp is ready till Geelong’s season is over to work out their subsequent transfer, which means there’s a sense the Cats may conjure one thing as much as fulfill the Blues. Perhaps a three-way commerce, involving one other membership, might be on the playing cards?
