The Cats have helped groom the young Sydney ballwinner over the past two years, placing him on a scholarship through the NSW Scholarship system.
Now, Geelong football manager Neil Balme is hoping Ediriwickrama will accept the rookie position offered to him by the club, rather than put his name in the draft.
As part of the scholarship process, the Cats have the option of drafting the hardworking midfielder with their final pick.
Some believe Ediriwickrama, who captained the NSW/ACT RAMS during this year’s national championships before later playing in Pennant Hills’ senior premiership in the Sydney AFL competition, could be selected with a second or third-round pick should he nominate for the draft.
“We’ve offered Ranga a spot on our rookie list for next season,” Balme said on Tuesday.
“So we’re just waiting to see whether he accepts that or whether he takes his chances in the draft.”
Ediriwickrama, who has flourished during his two-year association with the Cats, must now choose between accepting the rookie position or trying his luck in the draft.
While Geelong still has the opportunity to make further alterations ahead of the October 31 cut-off, the Cats appear to be happy with their roster after making changes to their playing list on Tuesday.
Brent Prismall was traded to Essendon, and Nathan Ablett and Jason Davenport were delisted. In addition, Matthew Scarlett will join the veteran’s list in 2009, meaning four senior spots are now up for grabs; a number that matches the four picks Geelong presently have in next month’s national draft (picks 15, 33, 39 and 49).
Balme confirmed several Cats were on the verge on re-signing with the club.
“We’ve finalised most of our list with the exception of Tom Lonergan, who we’re hoping to re-sign in the next few days,” Balme said.
“Nearly all of our players are signed or organised to sign … Shannon [Byrnes] is organised to sign, Travis Varcoe’s organising to sign and we’re hoping Nathan Djerrkura’s ready to sign, so we’re pretty much all right to go.”
Liam Bedford and Chris Kangars were also delisted this week but Balme said he was confident that the remaining rookie-listed players on the Cats’ list – including ruckman Shane Mumford – would accept another rookie contract and remain at the club.
