Geelong Mid-Season Draft selection Mitch Hardie could be in line for an AFL debut in the second half of the season as the Cats look to combat their midfield injury woes.
Touted as an explosive inside midfielder, the Woodville-West Torrens talent could be injected into Chris Scott's engine room after the club's Round 13 bye as the reigning premiers look to get their season back on course.
The Cats were the only club that had shown interest in Hardie following his strong start in the SANFL this year, where he averaged 25.7 disposals, 4.3 marks, 6.4 tackles and 5.6 clearances for the Eagles to earn selection for this month's State Game against Western Australia.
Hardie would be among the Croweaters' leading ball winners in their 13-point win at Adelaide Oval to only strengthen his chance at the Mid-Season Draft.
But with Geelong as his sole keen suitor, an AFL list spot at 25 years of age was seen as a short chance to come to fruition.
On Wednesday night, the Cats pulled the trigger to draft Hardie with the seventh overall pick in the mid-year intake, adding their third mature-aged talent from Woodville-West Torrens since the end of 2021.
The Kardinia Park list management team, led by Stephen Wells and Andrew Mackie, handed Tyson Stengle an AFL lifeline after his impressive first year with the Eagles in the wake of his departure from Adelaide two years ago, with the small forward going on to earn All-Australian honours last year in what was a cinderella story for the goalsneak.
The Cats would also select another teammate of Hardie's in Eagles forward Zane Williams through last year's Mid-Season Draft, however the young attacker was unable to break into the senior side in their premiership year before being delisted.
For Hardie, opportunities at AFL level could present themselves in a matter of weeks, with Geelong's engine room depleted due to a string of injuries to key personnel in Patrick Dangerfield (hamstring), Mitch Duncan (hamstring), Max Holmes (knee) and Cam Guthrie (toe), with the latter in doubt to make a return this year.
"Yeah potentially," Hardie said when quizzed on his chances of making his debut this year.ย "I just can't wait to get into training and getting to know the boys.
"Working hard and ultimately getting the respect of everyone around me first., I think that's the most important thing.
"After that, those things will take care of themself I'm sure. I'm really looking forward to it.
"To be able to stand here now and do what I'm doing today is just an incredible opportunity I'm extremely grateful for... it's something I won't be taking for granted."
Hardie was working in construction just days ago in theย north-west region of Western Australia, with the inside midfielder considered a journeyman after plying his on-field trade in Canberra and New South Wales before heading to Adelaide.
The Leeton Whitten United product said the long journey to realising his lifelong dream of playing AFL football is in reaching distance, even if he'll be lacing up the boots for the team that handed his beloved Swans an 81-point defeat in last year's grand final.
"It's a dream come true. I always dreamed to be an AFL footballer," Hardie told reporters on Friday.
Introducing our newest No.41 ๐ค #WeAreGeelong pic.twitter.com/cDAVcSXtj1
— Geelong Cats (@GeelongCats) June 2, 2023
"To be at a place like the Cats with such a rich history and success as recently as last year. Thinking about it now, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.
"I was a Swannies support up until a few hours ago. So (the grand final) was a bit devastating at the time. But to be a part of this now, it's just unreal."
Hardie, who will pull on the No.41 jumper at Geelong, will have to wait for his first game with the Cats at either VFL or AFL level for at least two weeks, having not been brought in to play for the club's reserves clash with Footscray on Saturday prior to a club-wide bye weekend.
