AN increased fitness base was the main motivation for Koroit export Ben Dobson as he pursued his second shot at playing VFL football.
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The 26-year-old, who played three matches with Geelong back in 2010, has earned his way onto Essendon’s list for 2016.
“The fitness is a lot better that it has been in the past, and it’s partially due to training every night,” Dobson said.
“(It’s been) a lot of running, as the pre-season rolled on it rolled into full-ground drills and match simulation.”
Dobson, a premiership player with Koroit, said his latest go at playing state league football was a case of good timing, with his partner having her graduate year in Werribee and Essendon calling.
He was keeping his goals simple heading into his first year with the Bombers.
“Just trying to get more confidence in my footy and trying to play at the higher level, try to get as many games as I can,” he said.
“I’ve been playing across half-back and half-forward in all the match sims, and haven’t really spoken about games and what lies ahead.”
Dobson’s younger brother Sam has also found his way onto a VFL list, named among Geelong’s final batch of signings on Wednesday.
The pair have also signed on with Geelong Football League club St Marys for when they are not required for VFL duties.
Fellow Hampden exports Sam McLachlan and Jay Moody were also named as Geelong recruits.
For Moody, 19, the news he would be a Cat in 2016 was “surreal”.
“It was an unreal experience just to be there, but to make the cut was just unreal,” he said.
“I was shaking at the time (they announced it), I wasn’t expecting it.”
The former Portland Tiger said he was relishing his time training alongside Geelong’s VFL contingent, where he has been playing as a half-forward flank.
As well as learning new structures with the Cats, Moody said the step-up in training had been an eye-opener.
“It was something I haven’t experienced before, just coming from the Hampden league,” he said.
“It was something else – on the body, as well, it takes a bit of a toll, but being around the facilities there (helps).”
While his first goal is simply to get a game for the Cats, Moody is hopeful it is the first step in a fruitful football journey.
“It’s always been a goal to play as high a level as I can,” he said.
“It’s something I wanted to work towards. Even beyond this, even AFL (would be great), but for now, I’m really happy to be playing VFL.”
