HORSHAM Saints premiership player Kyle O’Connor was included as part of Geelong’s 24-player VFL list on Tuesday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 19-year-old said that when he was called in to speak to the coach on Monday he expected to be told he would be part of the side’s 10-player development squad.
“I thought the squad was already finalised so I went into the meeting expecting not to be on the list,” he said.
“It was a pretty big thrill and shock that I got a contract – I called mum straight away.”
O’Connor had spent the 2017 season playing for Bell Park in the Geelong Football League.
He impressed enough in his 19 games in the highly regarded league to earn an invite to pre-season.
“I had two really good coaches down there in Luke Rayner and Tim Sheringham who really helped me as well,” he said.
He said he had no idea what to expect when he arrived for his first training session but was told it was his resilience that helped him earn his place.
“They just said it would be a great development opportunity for me and hopefully that I’ll be able to become a senior VFL player in the future,” he said.
“I was told that making sure I was always there working hard without dropping away set me apart.”
His immediate goal for the upcoming season is to just get a game.
“I’m still eligible to play as a 23rd player because I’m under-21,” he said.
“I just want to crack into the team for a couple of games this season and then see how I go.”
Geelong’s VFL season will kick off against Werribee on Sunday April 1.