New Geelong draftee Harley Barker will continue to take a cautious approach in his recovery from an ACL injury in July.
Barker's draft campaign was cut short due to the setback, with the ailment also eating into his debut season at Kardinia Park.
The All-Australian wingman enjoyed a stellar season prior to the injury, featuring as a speedy outside midfielder for South Australia and Sturt at the U18s level.
Barker remained in first-round contention and would fall to the Cats on night one of last week's draft, seeing the perennial contenders add some run to their midfield ranks.
Quizzed on his recovery, Barker said he won't look to speed up his rehab in order to show his value at the top flight.
"I don't want to fast-track it, I want to take my time," he said.
"Being at an AFL club, they'll give me everything I need to get back on the track, not as quickly as I can, but as efficiently.
"They've already given me a few ideas and things to work on. With the information and data behind it, I've got a bit to work on."
Barker's return date remains unclear, but the midway point of 2026 is the most likely window for the teenager to be back to full fitness.
That could leave the Mt Barker native with little time to make his AFL debut in his first season in the hoops; however, that feat isn't a necessity for next year.
When Barker gets his chance at AFL level, be that 2026 or later, he knows he'll take it.
"It is what it is. I know that I will come back and hopefully get into games as quick as I can, to show that I can play at the AFL level," he said.
"Halfway through next year will be 12 months (since the injury).
"I don't mind if I don't have to play at all next year, I'll take my time. If I have to miss out next year, I can come back the year after and keep playing from then, and hopefully have a long career.
"If I even play one AFL game, I'll be over the moon. Once I get a game in, hopefully I can stay in the team and play as long as I can."
Barker models his game on Cats forward-turned-wingman Ollie Dempsey, whom he'll work closely to start his career.
The South Australian believes he'll fit into the Cats' core group seamlessly, given the club's crop of young, lively attackers.
"I like the flair they have, and they're a pretty young group," he said.
"All of their young players are coming through and showing what they have. Hopefully, once I'm back up and running, I can get back into the team and prove that I can stay in it.
"I'll play with a bit of flair and hopefully play a little bit like Ollie Dempsey.
"He's a player I play like and that I've looked up to throughout the year."
Barker was joined by Hunter Holmes, Jesse Mellor and Nick Driscoll in landing at the Cats as draft additions, while Geelong have also added Hawthorn midfielder James Worpel to their list this off-season.
