A COUPLE OF STARS
Footy will dominate the McMahon household even further this year as former Geelong Lady Supercats basketballer Maddy McMahon, wife of reigning GFL Mathieson Medal winner Matt McMahon, suits up for Geelong’s VFLW team.
NATHAN Horbury has unfinished business in the VFL.
The former North Ballarat footballer departed the Roosters in controversial circumstances at the end of 2014, asking for a return to country club Redan with a year remaining on his VFL contract.
The Roosters denied the move until Horbury agreed to train a night a week with the now-defunct club, but he was eventually cleared and spent the past three seasons at Redan.
He has not played at VFL level since that 2014 season.
“Redan was amazing, they helped me out a lot to try and get a clearance but it got knocked back a couple of times,” Horbury recalled.
“I just wanted to go back and play footy with my brother and mates but unfortunately I had already signed a contract.
“That made it a bit difficult but they were really good about it in the end and I got to go back and play with my brother and mates.”
But when the door opened for Horbury, 26, to have another shot at state league level, the classy left-footer walked straight through it.
“Eamonn Gill, who is an assistant coach at the Cats now, coached Redan a couple of years ago when I played there, so he just asked me if I was interested at giving it another crack,” he said.
“I said I was and got in contact with (coach) Shane (O’Bree) and it went from there.
“I watched them a few times last year and I really liked the way they go about it. And I guess I’d be kicking myself if I didn’t try and play at the highest level I could while I was young enough, so I thought I’d be stupid not to go back and give it another crack.”
Horbury, who is training as a running halfback flank, is already relishing learning from Geelong coach and former Collingwood midfielder O’Bree.
“He’s amazing; he’s very easy going and knows so much about the game and gives you feedback, and the feedback always helps you out,” he said.
“I think he’s been great, I can’t speak highly enough of him.”
But whether he’ll step straight into Geelong’s seconds is yet to be determined.
“I’d be happy just to play a couple of games and see what happens, but I haven’t set the bar too high at the minute,” he said.
“They’ve got a lot of boys that play each week that are AFL-listed, and then they’ve got some good footballers that aren’t listed, with the VFL.
“I’d like to play a couple of games at least.”