Cory Gregson thrilled to join Geelong in AFL Draft — and his mother’s just as happy

CORY Gregson is thrilled to get the chance to realise his AFL dream at Geelong. But he reckons no one is happier for him than his mum Kym

Dean Gore and Cory Gregson

CORY Gregson is thrilled to get the chance to realise his AFL dream at Geelong.

But he reckons no one is happier for him than his mum Kym, a Cats fan.

Gregson moved out of his Port Willunga home to live with a foster family at Morphettville in February last year because the travel burden to Tigers trainings was becoming too difficult.

Geelong drafted two South Australians — Sturt's Dean Gore and Glenelg's Cory Gregson. Photo Sam Wundke.

The Glenelg half-forward flanker says getting selected at pick No. 47 on Thursday night is a reward for the sacrifices he and his mum have made.

“I’ve given up living away from home, not seeing mum as much, so being blessed with this opportunity is a massive thankyou,” Gregson, 18, says.

“It means a lot.

“Mum jumped up crying and hugged me for 10 minutes, kissing me.

“I don’t think anyone was happier than mum.

“She’s doing all right at the moment but I think once I leave she’ll be pretty sad.

“But she’s pretty happy because Geelong are her team.”

Glenelg talent manager Brenton Hole compared Gregson to Steve Johnson in the lead-up to the draft.

Now Gregson, who often draws on moves he learnt as a former state junior gymnast, is hoping to learn some tricks from the Cats magician — and also teach him a few.

“Hopefully I can add a few more strings to my bow and learn off the best of the best,” Gregson says.

“Maybe I can teach him (Johnson) the old forward flip.

“But I’ll be letting him teach me first.”

Gregson was a gymnast at Marion’s Gym Jets from four to 14 but quit once it became too taxing on his body to focus on footy.

He played five league games for the Tigers this year and five in SA’s winning under-18 national championship campaign.

Reality set in for Gregson when Cats captain Joel Selwood called him moments after he was selected.

“I’m pretty bloody stoked at the moment to go to such a great club.”

Gregson’s state under-18 teammate Dean Gore, a Sturt midfielder, was also drafted to the Cats.

Originally published as Cory Gregson thrilled to join Geelong in AFL Draft — and his mother’s just as happy