LOATS AND HAYNES IN FOR CATS, AS TRADE WEEK CLOSES
October 17 2003
By Mark Heenan

HEIGHT was on the cards for the Geelong Football Club after the controversial trade week drew to a close. The Cats gaining the services of Hawks back up ruckman David Loats and Eagle forward David Haynes.

In exchange for Loats and Haynes, David Clarke has been traded to Carlton, following a similar path to his father who left the Cats to head to the Blues in 1981, while Peter Street has now become a Bulldog.

Geelong Chief Executive Officer Brian Cook says Street was willing to look elsewhere to be the No.1 ruckman after living in the shadow of Stephen King for the past couple of seasons.

" His (Street's) primary motivation is to play in the role of first ruck and he wants to be guaranteed more games throughout the season. Obviously that's less of an option for Geelong " Cook told the Geelong Independent.

For 22 year-old Loats, who hails from Leopold, it was the perfect home coming after playing the majority of his under age representative football with the Geelong Falcons. Loats has struggled for senior selection at Glenferrie, registering only 11 games with the Hawks since 1999.

David Haynes has also returned home to his old stomping ground, after four years at the West Coast Eagles. Haynes, who also spent his junior years at the Geelong Falcons, has played 46 games for the Eagles after being picked up in 1999 National Draft.

Meanwhile key forward Jade Rawlings is still looking for a new home, after a deal could not be struck between negotiating clubs Hawthorn and the Kangaroos before today's 2PM deadline.

Cook said Geelong were still keen on attaining the services of 26 year-old Rawlings, despite his first preference being the Kangaroos who his brother Brady plays for.

" He's still on the radar but on the periphery. " he said.