Debutant has speed to thrill on the wing

JORDAN Cunico says he wants to bring extra pace to Geelong’s midfield in his debut against Port Adelaide tonight.

The rising 21-year-old was rewarded for a month of solid football in the VFL with selection against the Power, joining Darcy Lang and Cameron Guthrie in the team.

Nakia Cockatoo (hamstring), Tom Lonergan (managed) and Mark O’Connor (omitted) have made way.

Cunico has forged a reputation at the Cattery as a fleetfooted wingman after being selected by Geelong with pick 59 in the 2014 national draft.

The Traralgon product said he would try to keep things simple in his debut.

“I’ll play the majority of the time on the wing, given the attributes I have, which is speed and taking the game on. They are the assets I will bring to the team,” he said.

“I have spoken to a couple of the coaches — Nigel Lappin and Corey Enright — and they have said to go out and enjoy it and play in the moment.

“The goal for me is to just play my role. That’s what I’ve been trying to do over the past couple of weeks and then the game will unfold from that.”

Cunico has battled injury in his time at the Cats, going through a number of knee operations.

However he got through this pre-season well and was rewarded with a JLT Series debut against Hawthorn.

A call from Chris Scott on Tuesday confirmed he would achieve a lifelong dream of playing a senior AFL game.

Cunico says he was surprised to get the call up. But he should not have been.

Last week he managed 24 touches, six tackles and a goal in the VFL, while two weeks before that he had 27 touches, eight tackles and a goal.

“I have been performing pretty well in the VFL in the last few weeks. I was in the 25man squad (we named for the match), but I didn’t think I was going to play,” he said.

“I thought I was going to be an emergency. So I was pretty happy when I found out.”

Cunico said he expected to have a larger supporter base travel from Traralgon to watch him play.

“It’s been something I have been waiting for, for a very long time and I just can’t wait to get out there,” he said.