Cats players have nicknamed recruit Gary Rohan after a cartoon character rather than double up on ‘Gaz’, the moniker of an all-time champion in the same side.
Rohan has accepted the nickname Chuckie in deference to dual Brownlow Medallist and two-time premiership star Gary Ablett Jnr, AFL Media’s website has revealed.
Rohan told the website he had no choice in his naming after an also-red-haired character from animated cartoon series Rugrats.
“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,” Rohan said.
“It’s pretty hard with two Garys in the forward line.”
Rohan said he idolised Ablett as a Geelong supporter in his youth.
“I still pinch myself being able to play alongside him, Joel Selwood, Tom Hawkins, Paddy Dangerfield, these guys that are freaks of the game.”
Rohan is set to help form a new-look forward line at Geelong this season, alongside Ablett, Hawkins, Tom Atkins, Esava Ratugolea, Sam Menegola and fellow recruit Luke Dahlhaus.
“I kind of want a mismatch, because of my speed I usually play on a small so I can take them deep,” he said.
“I’ve worked hard in this pre-season with the strength-wise. I’ve lost a couple of kilos, body-wise I’m feeling really good.
“I’m feeling really strong so I’m really confident to take people to the goal square and try and use my body.”
Rohan is set to debut for Geelong on the big stage when the Cats face Collingwood in their season-opener on 22 March at the MCG.
