JACK Hollmer will this weekend become the first VFL listed player to notch 100 games for Geelong's VFL team.
The popular 29-year-old made his debut with the Cats way back in round 10, 2007, in a match against the Tasmanian Devils (it was the same day that Lonergan made his return to football after his kidney injury).
Later that season he played in a premiership with his local club, Lorne. He was part of a very strong Dolphins team that included St Kilda star Jack Steven, former Collingwood player Jaxson Barham and former Cats VFL player Casey Tutungi.
Since then, Hollmer has spent most of his footy career plying his trade in the VFL.
He started out as a run-with player, then moved to the backline in 2008. A stint as a ruckman followed, and more recently he has become one of the VFL team's most consistent forwards.
"I've been given a lot of opportunities, and I really appreciate that," said Hollmer, who has played under four coaches at the Cats: Leigh Tudor, Dale Amos, Matthew Knights and Paul Hood.
Over the summer Hollmer travelled to Darwin and played in an NTFL premiership with Wanderers.
Despite suffering a shoulder injury in the NTFL Grand Final, he pledged to suit up for another season with the Cats (he is also attached to grasroots club Port Fairy, and plays for the Seagulls when not required in the VFL).
“The standard of footy in the VFL, the facilities at Geelong and the great coaching are probably the key reasons I have kept coming back to the club," said Hollmer, who has knocked back numerous offers to coach grassroots teams in recent years.
On Saturday, Hollmer will be part of the team that takes on Essendon in a curtain-raiser to the AFL clash between the Cats and the Bombers.
It will be the first time Geelong's VFL team has played a home and away match at Etihad Stadium.
"It would be great to get a win," Hollmer said. "That's what it's all about."
Jack Hollmer in action against the Casey Scorpions
FIVE FACTS ABOUT JACK HOLLMER
* He is a self-employed builder and has completed renovations for a number of past and present Geelong players
* Surfing is among his passions away from footy
* He has twice finished in the top 10 in Geelong's VFL best and fairest
* He is part of the VFL team's four-man leadership group
* Although he missed out on Geelong's VFL premierships in 2007 and 2012, his celebrations after the wins remain legendary within the club
Jack Hollmer welcomes a debutant to the club!
