GARY Rohan is riding a new wave of confidence as he prepares to make his Geelong debut in round one against Collingwood on March 22.
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The 27-year-old forward is set to be playing deeper in the Cats' 50-metre arc in 2019 as the new 6-6-6 rule, which requires one forward and defender to start in the goalsquare at centre bounces, takes effect this season.
Rohan said an uninterrupted pre-season had given him extra belief his body can withstand the new role.
"I kind of want a mismatch, because of my speed I usually play on a small so I can take them deep," the former Swan told the Club's website.
"I've worked hard in this pre-season strength-wise. I've lost a couple of kilos and body-wise I'm feeling really good.
"I'm feeling really strong so I'm really confident to take people to the goalsquare and try and use my body."
The fruits of his off-season work were on show in Geelong's final JLT game against Essendon last weekend.
The Cobden export booted four goals in a new-look forward line alongside Gary Ablett, Tom Hawkins, Tom Atkins, Esava Ratugolea, Sam Menegola and fellow recruit Western Bulldogs premiership player Luke Dahlhaus.
Dahlhaus and Rohan made their way into the AFL system through the Geelong Falcons pathway program, and have rekindled their connection in the attacking arc during the pre-season.
Rohan said he was still coming to terms with playing at the club he supported as a kid and with some of the Cats' modern day superstars including Ablett.
"I was a Geelong supporter growing up, I watched his (Ablett's) career start here and obviously idolised him as a player and still do," he said.
"I still pinch myself being able to play alongside him, Joel Selwood, Tom Hawkins, Paddy Dangerfield, these guys that are freaks of the game."
Being at a new club alongside another 'Gaz' meant Rohan's teammates had to find a new nickname for the speedy forward.
"All the forwards were just in a room and they had four characters (up on the board), red-head characters, and they came up with Chuckie from the Rugrats," he said.
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Sean Hardeman
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
