Jay Polkinghorne

How Quickly Life Changed After the Draft

"It has gone really quick.

"Last week I was on a tractor at the farm at home, then this week I am in Geelong and in at this amazing club.

"It has changed so quickly, it is pretty cool."

How he Developed in 2024

"After not getting picked for the state under 18's, I knew I had to put my name in a better team.

"Going up to the reserves definitely helped me put my name out there a bit more and against bigger bodies.

"Playing well in that team I think did me good. We won the premiership in the reserves, that was pretty cool." 

Jacob Molier

How Draft Night Played Out

"It almost didn't feel real at the time.

"It was a rush of excitement and I really appreciate the opportunity that I have been given. 

"I did hear a few things from my manager, but I just watched the night pan out and hoping my name was going to get called out and ended up getting selected at pick 52." 

How Molier Felt During the Draft Process

"I think I was pretty relaxed coming into the night, thinking not to expect too much.

"I didn't really want to get ahead of myself, I thought I was probably going to go a bit later or maybe even in the rookie draft on Friday.

"Obviously when my name got called out, I was full of excitement."

Lennox Hofmann

Who Inspires his Style of Game

"I am a quick half back runner, with some intercepting ability in the air.

"I focused my game on Connor Idun (GWS), he was a really good defender and then over the last couple of years he implemented a bit of offense into his game.

"That is something I need to work on as well, so a bit of Connor Idun and also Tom Stewart with his intercepting ability." 

Keighton Matofai-Forbes

When he knew the Cats were interested

"I was aware the Cats had interest in me and that they were probably going to be the only club to take me, if it was a possibility.

"As it got later into the night I wasn't really expecting it, given that they had already taken Jay who is a tall forward like myself. 

"It was an absolutely surreal moment.

"I wasn't expecting it at all, so I think that made it 100 times better in that sense. It has been crazy."

Cillian Burke

Adapting to Australian Conditions

"It is a big change alright, I have been using a lot of sunscreen so far.

"It is nice thought, I think it is two degrees at home and it was snowing last week.

"It is definitely better here." 

Xavier Ivisic 

His Mentality Entering Geelong

"I have to hit the ground running, but I like it like that.

"It has a bit of a 'backs against the wall' feel, I will fight to hopefully receive an extension at the end of this year.

"But I am so grateful that I even get a year here.

"I was pretty flat missing out, but I also took that as a bit of a motivation factor and I think I can prove everyone wrong."

Patrick Retschko

First Impressions of the Geelong Football Club

"They have been a huge help already coming into the club.

"I have no doubt that out of the group of boys that were picked up this year, that a fair majority of us will hopefully be successful.

"At the very least we will put our best foot forward, especially with those older boys guiding us in terms of their journey and the nature of the group.

"It is really going to benefit all of us pretty well." 

Joe Pike

How 2024 Set him up for Success

"Last year it was a bit of a setback mentally, to try and get myself back up and going again.

"I really stuck at it, had a good year I feel with the support of the people around me both at the Falcons and the VFL.

"They set me up pretty well and it actually worked out as good as it can, so it has been really special."