The Geelong Cats have signed IrishmanPadraig Lucey who will join the club as a category B rookie.
After appearing on television seriesThe Recruit, the 204cm ruckman signed with the Cats this week.
“I was fortunate enough to get thechance to go on the TV show called The Recruit,” he said.
“I got to the end of that and crossedpaths with Stephen Wells and was fortunate enough to get a contract to Geelong.
“When I initially met him (StephenWells) there wasn’t much talk about coming to Geelong, it was just have atrial.
“Once I got down here it just feltright. Everyone was really friendly, I just felt right at home and it felt likea team I could really fit into.”
The 21-year-old from Killarney inCounty Kerry, Ireland has previously played basketball and Gaelic football inhis home country.
Lucey also played football for theEuropean Legion, coached by Brad Ottens, against the Australian under-18s teamin 2013.
Most recently working as a poollifeguard, Lucey also has a college degree in mathematics and geography.
Interestingly though, Lucey is not thefirst Irishman drafted by the Cats, Colum McManamon came to the club in 1989but failed to play an AFL match.
“Obviously I’m a long, long way frommaking AFL standard but I think they see the determination in me to get theresomeday,” Lucey said.
Lucey will arrive at the club inNovember.
