OFF AND RUNNING

NEW CAT CRAMERI: I have plenty left to give

STEWART Crameri is determined to reward Geelong’s faith, confident he has several years of footy left after the Cats gave him a career lifeline.

Crameri joins the club on a modest, base-level wage after the Cats used their first pick in yesterday’s rookie draft to secure the versatile forward to bolster their premiership ambitions.

Geelong expects the 29-year-old will provide instant impact in a forward line that has been topped-up with greater scoring power to help spearhead Tom Hawkins.

Crameri pleaded his case to Cats officials with a compelling sales pitch before the draft, desperate to reignite a career stalled on 99 games.

“They’ve put a bit of trust in me to pick me up, so I want to repay that faith and play well,” Crameri told the Geelong Advertiser last night.

“They’ve got a really good side, so it would be a thrill to play in that team and I’ll try to do my best. I’m pretty excited to be a part of it, to be honest, and hopefully I can play in the side.”

Despite having considered Crameri for several weeks, the Cats did not commit to taking the former Essendon and Western Bulldogs goalkicker until yesterday.

Crameri kicked 166 goals in 99 games but was cut by the Dogs at the end of the season after a wretched two-year period. He served a seasonlong doping ban in 2016 from his time with the Bombers, then played just two games this year after having hip

surgery.

“We think Stewart can get back to his strong running, versatile best and will provide the coaches with a great option when it comes to selection next year,” Geelong list manager Stephen Wells said.

“There’s no doubt Stewart, as a 29-year-old, when close to his best, is a very viable option for our coaches to consider.”

The selection, coupled with the drafting of pressure forward types on Friday night, is a clear indication of the Cats’ need to bolster their attacking options.

Crameri will spend his first weeks as a Cat in the injury rehab group, but both he and the club are confident he will swiftly graduate to full contact training.

“The injuries I had at the start of the year have healed,” he said. “I’ve just got some strength work to tick off.

“I’ll be in rehab for a couple of weeks, just to see where I’m at, then I’ll be fine after that and into full training, which will be good.

“I can’t wait to get back into it.”

Crameri hopes to remain at the Cats for several years.

“I started my career a bit later, 21-22 as a professional player (debuted in 2010), so I think I’ve still got a few years to go yet,” Crameri said.

“I think a lot of players are playing longer now, with the medical teams around clubs now, they’re prolonging a lot of careers.

“So I’ll be expecting to not just play this year but the year after and go from there, but I hope to keep playing.

“I do love the game and ap- preciate that Geelong picked me up, it’s exciting.

“Geelong’s been a part of finals for a few years now and I’ve kept an eye on them for the past 10, obviously since winning those three flags, I think they do things well down there.

“There’s good facilities, it’s going to be exciting walking in there with a fresh start.”

Geelong used its second and final pick yesterday to relist contracted youngster Matthew Hayball.

Under changes to the rookie list rules, Crameri, like all category A rookies, will be eligible to play all season, regardless of any long-term injuries to senior list players.

Only category B rookies, like Geelong Irishman Mark O’Connor, require a long-term injury to play senior football.