Talented St Joseph’s forward Paddy De Grandi has been rewarded for a standout pre-season with a spot in Geelong’s VFL season-opener.
De Grandi, who has kicked 106 goals in 38 games over the past two seasons, has been named on the bench for the clash with the St Kilda-aligned Sandringham on Sunday at Trevor Barker Beach Oval.
Cats coach Mark Corrigan, a former GFNL star, has been impressed with the 24-year-old since being invited to train with the club for pre-season.
“We’re seeing guys like Paddy De Grandi who… I can’t compliment him enough in terms of what he’s brought to the program from a commitment standpoint, training standpoint, and then we’re seeing it from a performance as well,” Corrigan said in an interview that will air on K rock Football tomorrow night.
De Grandi is one of three non-AFL-listed debutants for the Cats.
Bell Park’s Kobe George, who will also spend another year with the Geelong Falcons as a 19-year-old, and Lorne’s Charlie McCartin have also been named.
George will be the Cats’ 23rd player.
McCartin, the brother of former AFL No.1 draft pick Patrick and current Sydney star Tom, played two VFL matches for Sydney last year.
George’s Bell Park teammate Osca Riccardi will play his first official VFL game since a brain infection that left him on life support last May.
Riccardi and George are among four Dragons lining up for the Cats, with Jack Sarcevic and Hamish Lucas also selected.
St Joseph’s aligned Dan Capiron has retained the captaincy, with Marcus Herbert, whose has switched his interchange club from reigning premier Leopold to Northern League club Heidelberg, remaining his deputy.
Capiron is keen for the Cats to improve on their straight-sets exit from last year’s finals.
“You think about how we how we finished last year and how we went, it’s just trying to take another step as a team,” he said.
“We’ve had a few in and out in terms of personnel, but it is exciting with some youngsters coming through the draft and then some who missed out on the draft but have shown a lot in their first pre-season here. It’s very exciting all around.
“I can’t wait to work alongside Marcus again; he’s showing a lot through his leadership.
“He’s only pretty young still, 22, it’s his fifth year here, and I can’t wait to see how he goes in more of a leadership role, in terms of that standalone vice-captain role.
“He’s got a lot of wisdom and a lot of knowledge for someone his age. For him to impart that on others, I can’t wait for him to evolve in that sense, too.”
X: @krockfootball
