WHEN Geelong drafted South Australian forward Cam Taheny with selection 50 in this year’s draft, it wasn’t the first time the forward coach Corey Enright had come across the spring-heeled forward.
The two were already quite well acquainted, with Taheny having already spent time perched atop Enright’s shoulders in a game of country football.
Following his retirement, Enright returned to his home town of Kimba in 2017 to pull on the boots one last time for his junior club.
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Taheny, a local of Cleeve which is less than an hour’s drive south of Kimba, was lining up for the Eastern Ranges at the tender age of just 16.
The young star wasn’t overawed by taking on the Cats great on his special day while playing on the oval named in his honour.
“I think it was late in the game, I didn’t know much about him at that stage, but I think he sat on my head pretty well,” Enright says.
“You could obviously tell straight away he was a natural footballer and a natural talent. I didn’t know his age until after the game.
“I had a quick chat to him after the game, I knew his mum and dad and they filled me that he was going pretty well with his footy at that stage.”
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Enright believes Taheny’s experience of playing senior football will help him adapt quickly to AFL football.
“It was pleasing to see him play against men and he’s done a bit of that which holds you in good stead when you do have to step up levels,” Enright says.
“He’s played senior footy over in the SANFL and reserves footy so he’s well-equipped to come in here and make his mark straight away.
“Country towns are all the same, they do encourage you to play at the highest level and Cam obviously had those talents and traits.
“You obviously learn a lot of lessons playing that footy when you’re so young so I’ve got no doubt that he would have learnt a lot off those senior country footballers back then.”
View this post on InstagramPassion The moment Cam Taheny learned he was on his way to the Cattery #StandProud #WeAreGeelong
Taheny will now ply his trade under Enright, instead of leaping over him.
“We’ve obviously got that Eyre Peninsula connection and no doubt I’ll look after him and try and educate him as best I can,” Enright says.
“He’s done a really good job to transform what he’s got. It’s quite ironic that he’s got drafted here and he’s got some mates here already which is nice.
