It is quite incredible how quickly things can change in the AFL world.
One of the best stories in recent memory is the ascension of Shaun Mannagh and Jack Henderson, two players that not long ago were featuring for Werribee in the VFL, now sharing the spotlight on the biggest stage.
Mannagh got his chance at the top level and took it with both hands, starring for the Cats in 2024 but was on hand to present his good mate with the Norm Goss Memorial Medal in last year's VFL Grand Final.
Henderson also received an opportunity with Melbourne, the two sharing the field in an AFL match for the first time on Friday night at GMHBA Stadium.
"I would've loved to have been playing with him, because he is genuinely one of favourite teammates of all time," Mannagh told Cats Media.
"Jack Henderson is a lovely person off the field, but on it he is a fierce competitor. He lived in Geelong for a long time and it would've been nice to have him here, but it is amazing to see him get his opportunity.
"He is taking it with both hands, as everyone knew he would. It is a pretty surreal moment, we messaged last night and we used to kick pre-game every week and do a little tackle thing together.
"It is good to catch up with him after the game, but to have a good mate out there is an incredible feeling and hopefully he goes on to have a successful career."
Mannagh made a successful return to the Cats AFL team on Friday night, finishing with 18 disposals and a goal as Geelong recorded a 39 point win over the Demons.
In a tightly contested match, the Cats kicked clear in the last term with four unanswered goals, holding Melbourne goalless to register their second victory of the season.
Heading into a tense final quarter, Mannagh said that the message from the coaches at three quarter time was to focus on the defensive aspects.
"The message was around the defensive side," Mannagh said.
"They are going to try and get it through the middle of the ground, be a bit more attacking because we were in front.
"We wanted to cover off that, then we will get good looks if we are turning it over inside.
"We could get it through to our big forwards, our Tony Modra in Paddy Dangerfield which is what he loves to call himself."
