MY POINT TO PROVE
GEELONG forward Stewart Crameri is confident he still has plenty to offer at AFL level as he makes his long-awaited comeback tonight against GWS Giants.
The 29-year-old will play his first AFL game in 398 days, breathing life into a career that hung in the balance after suffering a serious hip injury and being delisted by the Western Bulldogs last season.
Crameri was one of three Geelong changes last night, with ruckman Zac Smith and Scott Selwood also returning. George Horlin-Smith (con- cussion), Rhys Stanley and James Parsons made way.
“It would be good to prove to everyone I’ve still got it,” Crameri told the Geelong Advertiser.
“I want to do that for myself and my family. I knew I had more to give.
“I want to try and win a premiership and I thought Geelong was a great chance of that. I’m relieved (to be selected). It’s been a long time coming.”
Crameri’s first match for Geelong will be the 100th of his career.
He raced to 97 games at Essendon and the Western Bulldogs before his career hit a brick wall.
Crameri only managed two games early in 2017 before his hip problems and missed the entire 2016 season after being caught up in Essendon’s supplement scandal.
There were not many suitors when he was delisted by the Bulldogs at the end of last year. But the Cats rolled the dice late and selected him in the rookie draft on a modest, base-level wage.
“Geelong took a risk getting me to the club with my hip in- jury. Hopefully by playing well (I can reward them),” he said.
Crameri was told to focus on his recovery when he arrived at Geelong. With four VFL games under his belt, he feels he is ready for AFL level.
“It’s been a pretty solid couple of months of VFL,” he said.
“My body has pulled up pretty good most games and they’re pleased with that. They were monitoring me and seeing how I pulled up.
“Everything seems to be going fine with my hips, I’m back to normal pretty much. That’s a good sign for me and gives me plenty of confidence going into (GWS).”
Crameri was told by Cats coach Chris Scott on Wednesday he would be pulling on the blue-and-white hoops for the first time tonight.
“The players got around me, it was quite exciting,” Crameri said. “I haven’t played in so long it feels like my first game. I feel like a young kid coming in and starting my career.”