Jet’s a happy Cat
GEELONG draftee Lachlan Fogarty knows he must earn the respect of his teammates in the coming months, but the ferocious on-baller says a Round 1 debut will still be in the back of his mind throughout the pre-season.
The Western Jets teenager admitted he had no idea Geelong was going to select him with its first pick in last night’s AFL draft, but said the even nature of the talent pool meant he entered with an open mind.
“They came over to my house recently but when you speak to them they don’t give too much away,” Fogarty said.
“Mum and Dad are up here so it was a massive relief when Geelong called my name out at pick 22 and I still can’t believe it.
“They’ve got Gary Ablett over the pre-season and are obviously a successful club. They’ve done really well since that premiership in 2007 and have just continued that success.
“I’m probably not thinking about (playing) too much yet, but I think by the end of preseason I’ll definitely want to play Round 1, but for now I just want to get around my new teammates and earn their respect.”
Fogarty has been described as a tackling machine and de- spite only playing seven matches for the Jets, finished runner-up in their best-andfairest award this year.
Despite his 179cm and 75kg frame, Fogarty impressed onlookers during the season with his attack on the ball and opponents, and he will also add some silk with his ball-use, which the youngster said he was keen to continue working on with Geelong’s midfielders over summer.
“I’m looking forward to working with Gary Ablett and Joel Selwood and those smaller midfielders as well,” he said.
“Their ability to compete against the bigger bodies is something I’ll observe and even Brandan Parfitt, he managed to play a lot of games this year, so seeing how he transitioned from under-18 footy to the big league.
“The first thing I like to tell people about my game is my ball-winning ability and the ability to go on the inside and outside, and I can hit the scoreboard as well.
“But tackling is definitely something I love doing and trying to win the ball back for the team, and trying to keep the ball inside the forward 50. That is something I’ll try to bring to Geelong next year.”
Fogarty will join South Fremantle’s Tim Kelly, Sandringham Dragons’ Charlie Constable and Geelong Falcons small forward Gryan Miers, who were all selected by the Cats last night.