Looking to extend his life as a footballer, Rivers felt that a successful club like Geelong could give him the chance to further his career.
The 28 year old is also confident that his move to the Cats may give him the opportunity, that every player dreams of, to win a premiership flag.
“They’ve been a successful club for many years now… and I’m not getting any younger, being 28, and I think Geelong still have a shot of winning the premiership,” Rivers told Cats TV.
Since arriving at the Cats, Rivers has been blown away with the sincerity of their welcome, which he has received from every level of the club. He believes Geelong’s culture instantly captures your love of football and entices you to play.
“It’s just fantastic, everyone makes you feel welcome starting from the playing group all the way up to the coaching staff and the whole football club,” Rivers said.
“It is a culture that you can easily love and love playing for.”
Rivers has always been attracted to Geelong’s hard breed of footy and consistency. He is convinced that’s one the reason why the club has been able to continue their success.
“Probably just their consistency over so many years and their hard breed of footy… it’s that unconditional fact of going in hard for the ball and winning that respect,” Rivers explained.
Rivers has already fastened his role within the team and looks forward to playing along side the likes of, Harry Taylor and Tom Lonergan. He hopes to collaborate well in the defence and do what he can to help the Cats succeed.
“Just doing everything I can to help the team try and win games, and that’s playing down back and helping the likes of Harry Taylor and Tom Lonergan, and doing whatever I can to help improve the Geelong football club.”
“Which isn’t much, because they are all pretty good at the moment.”
Having played at the Melbourne Football club for a decade, Rivers describes his transition to Geelong like starting school again. He is looking forward to the challenge and playing with some of the best footballers in the league.
“I feel like I am starting school again… being at one club for 10 years is a long time. I see this as a new challenge and look forward to playing with some amazing players that will probably go down as some of the greats of all time, so just learning of those guys probably,” Rivers said.
According to Rivers the Cats have referred to this year’s preseason as one of their best, with all members of the team collaborating nicely.
“I’m looking forward to it, all the boys are saying they’re pretty fit and it’s been one of their best preseason they’ve had as a whole playing group,” Rivers said.
Rivers recognises that the Cats have a tough start to the season, coming up against some of the best teams in the league in the first few rounds, which has only ramped up the Cats preparation.
“We’re got a really tough start in the first four or five weeks with some quality opposition, so if we can get through those games with a few wins hopefully that can set up our season,” Rivers said.
Senior Coach, Chris Scott, continues to impress Rivers with his pragmatic style of coaching and he admires Scott’s main team message.
“Just to get out there and play your own game and back yourself in, which is a great attitude to have and I really respect that from him. So just getting that confidence to get out there and play the way you’ve been playing over the last few years,” Rivers explained.
Although Rivers has only experienced a preseason with the Cats, he is already really excited about the club’s up and coming youngsters and believes the supporters will be too.
“At the start I didn’t really no much about the young playing group and watching them play over the last few months they’ve been really exciting,” Rivers said.
“Josh Walker played a few games last year he looks like a good type and he’s really fit. The young draftee Jackson Thurlow looks really good at the moment as well.”
“The Cats supporters should be really excited about the young playing group because they’ve trained really well this preseason.”
