Shaun Mannagh never lacked belief – just an opportunity.
So when Geelong’s veteran recruiter Stephen Wells finally called his name at last November’s national draft, Mannagh knew he had to grab his chance.
The 27-year-old rookie has done just that, holding down a place in Chris Scott’s star-studded attack over the past two months to help drive the Cats’ premiership push.
An eye-catching three-goal display in the thrashing of Port Adelaide a fortnight ago underlined Mannagh’s capabilities ahead of Saturday’s preliminary final against Brisbane at the MCG.
But it was a different story 12 months ago, when the crafty small forward was still desperately trying to stand out with VFL club Werribee after eight years of toil in the state league and the bush.
“I’ve always known that I could play at AFL level and I just needed my opportunity,” Mannagh said this week.
“I was lucky enough to get that here at the Cats and I’ve just tried to take it with both hands.
“I probably didn’t do that early in the year, but now being in the team I feel like I’ve stepped up.
“Being that bit more mature as well, I think I’ve been able to adapt to any situation that’s been thrown at me.”
Mannagh’s long road to the big league featured spells with country outfits Lavington and North Albury, a season in Darwin during the pandemic, and VFL stints with Richmond and Werribee.
His draft fortune changed after a brilliant six-goal, 27-disposal performance in the Bees’ grand final defeat to AFL reserves outfit Gold Coast last September.
It capped an outstanding season, in which Mannagh was named in the VFL team of the year, finished second in the club best-and-fairest and fifth in the JJ Liston Trophy.
“There was a fair bit of frustration there, obviously, knowing I’d been putting together some good seasons together at VFL level, which is a really good standard of football, and teams kept going for the under-18s kids (at the draft),” Mannagh said.
“It’s fair enough because you can develop kids and they can be at clubs for 15-20 years, so I do understand it from that point of view.
“But I was also coming at it from my point of view where I’m a mature-age person and I can come in and impact straight away.
“It obviously took a little bit longer than I would’ve liked, but now that I’m here I’m very grateful for the opportunity.”
