Zach shows he’s got the right stuff
IF Zach Zdybel wasn’t on Geelong’s radar, he is now.
That’s the view of veteran Colac ruckman Lochie Veale, who believes his understudy is banging down the door for a spot on the Cats’ VFL list.
Zdybel, a former Geelong Falcon, was instrumental in Colac’s narrow semi-final win over Bell Park, booting four goals.
And the emerging ruckman is worth the punt, according to Veale.
“Absolutely. If he goes down and plays that standard of footy, and plays for the next 2-3 years and puts on 5-8kgs, he’s still going to be able to run around and he’s going to be very dangerous with that bulk and his ability to jump around,” Veale said.
“He is the sort of player that the guys at a higher level will look for because he is tall and he can run and take a good contested mark and he can be influential like he was in that last quarter.”
Zdybel has played 20 games in his maiden senior season for the Tigers, booting 20 goals.
“Zach’s been amazing since he came to the club,” Veale said.
“It was sigh of relief for me when he did sign at the start because I knew I had someone to swap with, which is exciting.
“In that last quarter I really didn’t want to change with him because he was taking hangers and kicking them from 40 and 50.
“He’s an exciting talent and he can take it as far as he wants.
“I said that earlier in the year about him and he’s just going to get better and better as he keeps playing, especially against sides like Bell Park and St Joseph’s.
“He stood up where it counted.”