During Saturday’s VFL practice match against Footscray, Geelong’s 2012 draftee Brad Hartman showcased what a solid year of work can achieve.

Geelong’s young Cat gave a career best performance with 14 possessions and two goals, which was topped off with a gallant snap from the ‘Gary Ablett pocket’.

Before being drafted by the Cats, the 19-year-old from South Australia had been concentrating on developing a professional career in basketball.  

When he first arrived at the club he was young, inexperienced and far away from home.

According to Geelong’s development academy coach Paul Hood, their small forward has shown a positive increase in his development and maturity since his first VFL game in 2013.

“He’s grown up a bit,” Hood told News Limited.

“Brad was a kid who had only played half a dozen games of footy and came from a basketball background.”

During his first season at the Cats, Hartman took part in 19 VFL games as well as the Grand Final against the Box Hill Hawks.

“Last year was about learning for Brad and it’s probably a bit overwhelming for some players, especially someone who had only played six games,” Hood explained.

Unfortunately Hartman was off the track for a couple of months during this year’s preseason due to a knee injury.

However, you wouldn’t have known going by his performance on Saturday. Despite it only being a VFL practice match, the Cats 32-point win saw Hartman take his game to the next level.

“He has been immersed in the footy club for a year now and he looks like he believes he can play, which is fantastic,” Hood said.

“His ability came to the fore. It’s great for the club and great for Brad to get the belief he can play at this level."


Geelong's first VFL match for the season kicks off this Friday night against Bendigo Gold at QEO.