By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
THE reality of their elevation still hasn’t quite sunk in for the newest additions to the Cattery.
But the three young draftees received their first dose of reality this week when they were handed the jumper numbers of three recently departed Cats.
Darcy Lang took Joel Corey’s number 11, Jarrad Jensen got Paul Chapman’s famed 35 and Jake Kolodjashnij received Josh Hunt’s vacated eight.
Geelong Falcon’s midfield speedster Lang missed much of the season with a broken leg but is well into recovery.
Taken with a first-round pick, Lang said taking over the number of three-time premiership player Joel Corey was a “massive honour”.
“Hopefully I can continue the good run with lots of games,” he said.
“It still hasn’t sunk in. It’s very surreal walking around with some of the greats of the club.”
Big-bodied versatile midfielder Jansen said he realised he had big shoes to fill.
“I think I’m up to it. It’s a massive honour to even be in a Geelong jumper to start with but to be in the 35 and have three 300-plus game players who have worn it adds to the honour,” he said.
“It was a special moment when I was told, I was bit overwhelmed even getting picked. I wasn’t expecting to go round two, I had so many mixed emotions at once.”
Kolodjashnij expected a few hiccups over his surname.
“It happens all the time, I’m used to it,” he smiled.
“It’s slowly starting to sink in, but I’m enjoying every single moment. The goal is to play a senior game next year but I still feel I have a lot improving to do.”
