Geelong football boss Andrew Mackie admits prying Charlie Curnow out of Carlton will be “hard to do” and says the Cats will prioritise St Kilda ruck Rowan Marshall.

Carlton was unequivocal on Monday ahead of the trade period, suggesting no offer would be enough to off load the dual Coleman Medallist.

But a high-level of retention and an unappealing draft hand will anyway restrict the Cats in what they can bid.

Mackie says Geelong is not “willing to put a line through” Curnow so early but understands how difficult it will be.

He says Marshall, who has officially requested a trade, will be the intention before the Cats pursue Curnow.

“There’s a bit to work through with that, it is a balance, no players have come and said they want to leave so that’s a positive,” Mackie said.

“We’ll thr

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