Schoolmates get solid report cards

THE school principal of two of Geelong’s draftees has endorsed the pair’s addition to the Cats’ list, heaping glowing praise on the duo for their natural talent and character.

And the two South Australians, Ben Jarvis and Jacob Kennerley, have both moved quickly to put an end to any discussion of homesickness or a desire to get back to Adelaide.

Rostrevor College principal, Brian Schumacher, says Jarvis (pick 48) and Kennerley (pick 50) left a major impression during their time at the school and had remained well grounded and humble while they were in the midst of accomplishing their vast feats both on and off the field.

Jarvis and Kennerley were joined by college captain Luke Valente, who was taken at pick 32 by Fremantle, as Rostrevor College alumni to find homes at AFL clubs in last week’s draft, and Schumacher said the remarkable effort was a credit to the boys and their coaches.

“Ben and Jacob have had an exceptional year on and off the sporting field,” Schumacher said. “Both men of great character and will bring great talent and sportsmanship to the Geelong Football Club.”

Both Jarvis and Kennerley moved to the boarding school when they were young, which is expected to hold them in good stead when they begin the transition to AFL footballers living away from home.

Jarvis, who earned a reputation as a fast, goalkicking forward with considerable strength in the contest, said he was looking forward to making the move to Victoria.

“Having that previous experience of going through that homesick stage when I first started boarding at Rostrevor has made me more prepared,” Jarvis said.

“In South Australia, it’s all based on two teams, so I’m quite happy to go interstate.”

Kennerley was the year 12 college prefect in 2018 and said being able to forge an AFL career with Jarvis — who he has played with for Rostrevor, Norwood and the South Australian under-18s team — was something he was looking forward to getting stuck into.

“I’m not fazed about moving,” Kennerley said.

“I’ve already done this sort of thing before and it’s pretty exciting knowing I will be getting to play with some pretty cool people who I have looked up to. Going through all these great experiences together (with Jarvis) has been fantastic.”

Jarvis and Kennerley were two of three South Australians that Geelong drafted last week, with small forward Jake Tarca (pick 68) also joining the Cats, while Central District ruckman Darcy Fort, originally from Geelong, was taken with pick 65.