Geelong welcomed seven draftees at the 2024 National and Rookie Draft. As they navigate their way through their first year in the AFL system, Geelong’s Rookie Journal written series will help you get to know some of the new faces at the Geelong Football Club and the stories that led them to become AFL footballers.
Jay Polkinghorne was the next player to sit down with Cats Media and he tells us about his journey from South Australia to Geelong.
I grew up in a little town called Penong, about 800 kilometres west of Adelaide.
I was there until I was 15 years old and then I went to boarding school in year 10, spending three years there.
Junior footy is where it all starts, it is really important.
You have to enjoy your footy and that usually stems from your junior days, that is when footy is at its most enjoyable. That is probably the most fun you will have out on the field, playing with your mates and you are just out there having fun.
One distinct memory I have of football growing up came when I played my first game of A-Grade senior footy at home, in a local league.
I was about 14 years old and I got crunched, it was my first contest and I got absolutely crunched. That knocked me around, physically I was fine but that was my 'welcome to football' moment playing against the big boys.
One person that inspired me as a junior was Kade Chandler. He was my neighbour growing up, he is currently playing for Melbourne.
I don't really play footy like him because he is a bit smaller, but he has been one that I have always looked up to and he has helped me along the way with anything that involves footy.
Probably when I first went over to Adelaide, that was when I started thinking about an AFL career.
I was definitely hoping for it, everyone dreams about it but it might not necessarily happen. It was about year 10 for me that it clicked, that this might actually happen and I stuck to it.
My family and friends are the ones who helped me the most along the way, especially when you are young and they are your core group.
My mates for me were very important, being away from my family when I was in a boarding house and they pretty much became brothers to me. I was very close with them and they helped me a lot, I can't be thankful enough.
I was at the draft combine when I first got in touch with the Geelong Football Club.
One of the South Australian recruiters came to me and spoke to me, he said it was a pretty informal catch-up which is what I like.
He said if you don't hear anything from us for a couple of weeks, don't rule anything out and that was exactly what happened. I didn't hear from them for a while, then had another meeting leading into draft night and got pretty lucky.
Signing the professional contract, that was when it really sunk in and I thought, this is real. It is not just a dream anymore, it has come to life and that moment was pretty cool.
To be honest, the contract was pretty big and it was a lot to read through.
Recently I have been trying to get close with Shannon Neale up forward.
He is a bit taller than me, but he has helped me by telling me what to do, where to be and where to stand. He directs me with all the structures, he has been really helpful for me.
Stay tuned as Cats Media chats to all of Geelong’s draftees after their first three months in the AFL system.
The Geelong Football Club and Ford will celebrate their 100 year partnership this weekend, when the Cats take on Melbourne on Friday night at GMHBA Stadium.
As part of the celebrations, Geelong will have a number of exciting activations including a Ford premiership motorcade, a fan photo opportunity, while the VFL Cats will also be in action as a curtain raiser at GMHBA Stadium.
Tickets are still available for Geelong's Friday night clash with Melbourne, secure your seat via Ticketmaster.
