Former Dandenong Stingray Tom Gillies is getting close to a senior debut for his AFL club Geelong. Picture: Tommy RitchieBy Marc McGowan
TOM Gillies could only dream of an AFL career at this time last year.
Several of his Dandenong Stingrays team-mates were playing for Victoria Metro in the National Under-18 Championships, while he was overlooked for selection.
But the 19-year-old now finds himself on the verge of a senior AFL debut after Geelong officials selected him with pick 33 in last year’s AFL National Draft.
Hallam-raised Gillies has thrived at Kardinia Park and has featured in the Cats’ VFL side’s best players three times in his six matches.
The 192cm, 87kg key defender has even been an emergency twice for the unbeaten Geelong senior side in his rookie season.
Gillies was set to show local fans last week just how far he has come since leaving Shepley Oval.
But Geelong coaches instead gave him five days off, including Sunday’s match against the Casey Scorpions at Casey Fields, and he is also expecting to sit out this weekend.
Gillies was a frustrated spectator, but admits the decision is probably in his best interests in the long run.
“I feel fine, but I’m a first-year player and they just want to look after me,” he said.
“I’ve stayed injury free pretty much and I’m happy the club is managing me. I’m not happy I’m not playing, but it’s probably the best thing for me.”
Gillies is thoroughly enjoying being a full-time footballer alongside the likes of Cats superstars Gary Ablett, Jimmy Bartel and Joel Selwood.
“It’s unreal. I thought I might get sick of it, but I love it more. They make it enjoyable as well, which is a good thing,” he said.
“Everyone asks me about them (his star team-mates), but they’re just normal guys and are all pretty nice and we get along really well.”
Geelong’s VFL coach Dale Amos has been suitably impressed with Gillies’ performances thus far.
“Tom’s been the most impressive, form-wise, out of the guys we’ve recruited this year,” Amos said.
“He’s physically fairly mature for a 19-year-old, which has helped him, and he’s certainly got a hunger to play AFL footy and is going quite well at the moment.
“He’s obviously a first-yearplayer and is trying to crack into areally strong side and as a club we’llbe patient with him and givehim the opportunity to develop to a point where we feel comfortable for him to play.
“But I think he would be able to acquit himself okay (at AFL level).”
Gillies is happy to wait for his opportunity and has not set himself a goal to play in the AFL this year.
“I just want to play good football in the VFL and my turn will come,” he said.
“If injuries happen you mightget a game, but, if they don’t, you might not, so you can’t really set goals like that.
“You just set goals to play good footy.”
Gillies has kept in contact with his old Stingrays team-mates, particularly St Kilda rookie-lister Steven Gaertner, and is trying to remain as grounded as possible.
“I’m in a unique situation andI just try to ring most of the Stingrays guys and keep in touch with my old job at Eumemmerring (College),” he said.
“(The public attention) is not too bad – it’s a bit embarrassing. Kids don’t even know your name and they ask for your autograph.
“You get mobbed by the kids at footy clinics. I know when I was a kid it was good to meet players.”
