Steve Johnson will likely play his last game for Geelong on Saturday. Sources have confirmed that the Cats are unlikely to go on with Johnson in 2016, with fellow triple premiership great Corey Enright remaining undecided about whether he goes on.
James Kelly and Mathew Stokes will play their last games for the Cats against Adelaide on Saturday, meaning the probable scenario is that Johnson, Kelly and Stokes will all finish up against the Crows in what will be an emotional occasion for the club. Enright's future is unlikely to be decided before this weekend, the club having asked him to play on.
Johnson has said he wishes to play on, leaving open the prospect of him joining another club. The Cats have been tight-lipped on the subject of Johnson but the fact they have not offered him a contract at this stage is an indication that he is likely to play his last game this weekend.
Of the six remaining multiple premiership players at the Cats, Andrew Mackie and Jimmy Bartel have been offered contracts for next year. Mackie is expected to be given a two-year deal.
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Geelong confirmed the exit of Stokes on Tuesday evening in an official statement, while Kelly, a decorated triple premiership player, has been informed that he will not be offered a contract for 2016.
Geelong has not placed pressure on Enright, who turns 34 this month, to make a decision and it is considered more likely that he will not make his call until after the season has concluded.
Geelong is also seeking to land free agent and superstar Patrick Dangerfield, who is set to play against his prospective teammates on Saturday, along with Carlton's Lachie Henderson and Eagle Scott Selwood (also a restricted free agent). But the club appears set to retain Steven Motlop, who has been out of contract, and is re-contracting Nathan Vardy.
Fairfax has been told that Bartel has been presented a one-year contract, and possibly with a trigger clause that could extend his playing career into 2017.
His agent, Lucy Mills, declined to comment on either point when contacted by Fairfax on Tuesday.
Coach Chris Scott forecast a difficult week ahead in terms of man management following the club's uncharacteristically listless performance against Collingwood last Friday night – in a result that sealed its early exit from season 2015.
Johnson, Enright, Bartel, Kelly and Mackie are all triple premiership players, with Mackie having the advantage of a more recent birthdate (just turned 31) and his form seen as warranting him continuing. Stokes is a two-time premiership player (2007, 2011).
The Cats made a tough call on another premiership hero and club great Paul Chapman two years ago and watched him finish his distinguished career at Essendon, where he played two seasons, earning a second year via a trigger clause.
