The rural service town, Kimba, which lies on the Eyre Highway, 458km West of Adelaide, is the home of approximately 636 residents.
This little historic sun burnt town is not only where wheat is produced and rain is scarce, it is the home where a young humble star was made.
It’s hard to imagine how a remote little town like Kimba, isolated in the middle of our vast country can produce such a talent, as Corey Enright. You can’t help but wonder how did Enright discover football, let alone, how did the Geelong football club discover him.
Enright’s story, along with many others, demonstrates how Australia’s game runs through the red veins of our country, reaching every community she holds.
It was back in 1999 when Enright’s AFL journey started to unravel, taking him on a voyage full of triumph and success. Typically, Enright was out playing tennis on the day of the draft, when his name was nationally announced as Geelong’s pick at number 47. As soon as Enright’s parents, Garry and Maxine, heard his named called they jumped in the car and made the 30-kilometer drive to tell their son the exciting news.
"We drove out there and told him and he was very nonplussed," Garry told the Australian.
He has never been a player who has warmed to the spotlight but his performance, as a reliable and formidable defender, has never gone unnoted. However, when he first arrived at the club his future potential was far from apparent, and he didn’t make his debut until 2001.
The start of Enright’s career at the Geelong football club was less than glamorous, but this didn’t deter him from succeeding. Since his remarkable transition from a lanky young guy to a skillful defender, he has been described as the most underrated player in the AFL. Senior coach, Chris Scott, reconfirmed this on the night of Geelong’s 2011 Best and Fairest, when Enright was awarded his second Carji Greeves medal. He received his first in 2009 along with Gary Ablett junior, which places him in an exclusive AFL group. A group that only consist of players who have won multiple Best and Fairest Medals during premiership years, including Leigh Matthews, Kevin Bartlett, Jason Dunstall, Simon Black, Michael Voss, and Gary Ablett junior.
Enright, who will play his 250th game against Richmond at the MCG, isn’t short of an award. During his career, his consistent performance has earned him a pool of nominations, medals and three premierships. He began his AFL career as a young local star, winning the Geelong’s best first-year player award in 2001, and from there he has continued to impress fellow teammates, coaches and spectators.
Over four consecutive years, in 2008, 09, 10 and 11, Enright was nominated for the All-Australian team selection.
Without exception, Enright has remained calm and level headed while delivering skillful football in every match. His consistency and inspirational talent influenced his peers to also nominate him as the league's most underrated player. Enright’s low number of Brownlow votes justifies his nomination, until this day he has only ever received 19 votes during his 12-year career.
Fellow defender, Andrew Mackie, believes Enright’s output on the field hasn’t dropped in any way and he remains a vital component in the Cats defence.
“His mind is as quick as ever, and his body is still going strong and he’s a smart footballer just doing what we’ve become accustom to…” Mackie said.
“I’m glad he’s on our side and no one else’s and I love playing with him, so hopefully he can keep going for a while yet.”
As well as his intelligence, Mackie says the key to Enright’s success and ongoing contribution on the field, is his discipline to work hard and keep healthy.
“A number of things, he’s a smart player, he’s fit, he works hard on his fitness, he looks after himself and that’s a pretty good recipe for staying out in the park, once he’s out there he’s too good to not have any influence.”
As Enright approaches this week’s game against the Tigers, he will embark on a prestigious milestone of his own. He may not have as many games as Essendon’s Dustin Fletcher, who has competed in 368 games since 1993. He may not have kicked as many goals as Gary Ablett senior, who finished his 250th game career with 1,030 goals. And he may not have won a Brownlow medal during his 253 game-career, like James Hird, who finished on 5075 disposals, which is 112 less than Enright’s current total.
The Geelong veteran has accomplished just as much and to so many people, including predecessor Cameron Mooney, he is nothing less than a champion.
“I know I’m biased, but I honestly believe that Boris (Enright) is the best small defender the game has seen in the past 15 years,” Mooney told Geelong Advertiser.
Whilst Enright’s profile doesn’t match some of AFL’s greats, his on-field achievements and collection of accolades demonstrate his brilliance, and he is sure to go down as one of the best.
