ISAAC Wareham has put the disappointment of being overlooked on AFL draft night behind him as he searches for a spot on Geelong's VFL list.
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The 17-year-old Terang Mortlake product is one of six south-west-based 2019 Greater Western Victoria Rebels-listed stars vying for a spot on the Cats' list.
Wareham, Warrnambool's Mitch Burgess Camperdown's Toby Mahony, Port Fairy's Josh Dwyer, South Warrnambool's Liam Herbert and Hamilton Kangaroos' James Cleaver are all currently training with Geelong.
"That (having ex-teammates) was what enticed me to go," Wareham said of the south-west contingent training at Kardinia Park.
"Having so many mates makes it easier to start things up at a new place and also to lean on especially when car pooling the long way down there."
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If the wingman and running half-back flanker scores a spot on the Cats' list, he will pick the Rebels as his feeder club to complete an overage year in the NAB League.
Wareham had a tough second half to 2019 with his Rebels season ended prematurely by a knee injury.
The injury then meant he was unable to showcase his wares alongside Collingwood draftee Jay Rantall, who hails from South Warrnambool, at the AFL draft combine last month.
The AFL Academy product was told by the Cats' physios his knee was "much more stable" heading into the club's pre-season after he suffered a medial ligament injury during 2019.
The Vic Country representative, who is looking to study at university in Geelong, can now focus on improving a few areas of his game as his drive to play at the highest level grows stronger.
"My strength and consistency when I'm getting the ball and also getting more touches and having more influence on games," he said.
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