GFL no longer No.1

Blood plays lone hand in GFL interleague loss

HE has long been earmarked as a player with a big future, and those claims were only enhanced on Saturday.

Former Geelong Falcons captain Jack Blood took out the Bob Cahir Medal as the GFL’s best player in its loss to the Eastern Football League at Etihad Stadium.

The 19-year-old displayed composure and maturity beyond his years, just as he has done through successive finals campaigns for the Falcons and at St Mary’s.

Starting down back as a rebounding defender, Blood mixed plenty of driving runs with selfless defensive acts to keep the GFL in the game in the first half, before being shifted to the midfield in the second half in a bid to turn the tide, such was his influence.

“It’s a pretty big honour — I’ve grown up knowing about the last five that we’ve won and some of the players that have gone through the team, so it’s a big honour to play for the team, let alone get the best on ground medal for the day,” Blood said.

The 182cm St Mary’s product believes his versatility is providing him with more opportunity to influence games.

“I’ve played the last couple of years down back, and I’ve probably played this year more in the middle,” he said.

“But I do see myself working on my inside mid craft and trying to challenge myself with some of the big bodies in there.”

Earning himself a spot on the Geelong VFL list this year after six games for the Cats last season, Blood is aiming to follow in the footsteps of fellow GFL graduates Campbell Floyd and Jackson McLachlan, who both earned more game time in the VFL after starring roles in last year’s interleague victory at the MCG. “I hope so,” Blood said of getting a place in the VFL team. “They know I’m working hard. I’ve got to keep working hard and putting my best foot forward.”