When Zaine Cordy first found out he would be making his AFL debut on Saturday, he had to be assured he wasn’t in trouble from the coach.
Bulldogs senior coach Luke Beveridge pulled the 18-year-old aside to share the news, with Cordy unsure what the one-on-one chat was for.
“I found out yesterday (Thursday) just before the training session.
“I thought I was in trouble, Bevo’s pulled me aside and said ‘follow me’, I thought ‘I could be in trouble here’.
“It was all good, he took me into the room in front of Ash Hansen, Chris Maple and he said ‘well done Zaine it’s your first game’, it took me a few moments to let it sink but it was a really good feeling.”
Cordy had an interrupted start to his season at VFL level but has worked his way back into fitness, and into contention for the senior call-up.
“It definitely has been a while because I had a few injuries, I had the shoulder and then I had the thumb.
“It’s been a long road but luckily enough Luke has given me a game and I’m looking forward to it, and hopefully we can get a win.”
One of Cordy’s most notable attributes this season has been his ability to adapt to the structures and demands of senior football.
Cordy said despite a different approach, he was appreciating the new style of play.
“It’s definitely different, at TAC Cup level you sort of lock on to one opponent but here you play on many opponents.
“It’s been really good, it’s good for me, it definitely helps you read the ball better and get more kicks, as backmen that’s always a nice thing,” Cordy joked.
Beveridge said the defender had earned the right to make his debut, after overcoming his injury setbacks.
“Zaine is a medium (defender who can play on talls or smalls, he’s really dour and tough with a long reach.
“He had a shoulder reco earlier in the year so he’s done well to put his name in lights and ask us to pick him.
“He’ll be a long term-defender at our football club and it’s timely that he comes in this week and plays his first game.
“Zaine really deserves his spot and he’ll play well.”
