Darcy Fort says seeing mature-age success stories keep his AFL dream alive before Geelong called

The draft’s oldest recruit Darcy Fort says the success of mature-aged ruckmen Ryan Abbott and Orren Stephenson inspired him to keep chasing his AFL dream.

Darcy Fort (centre) looks to shepherd Billy Frampton away from the ball.

The draft’s oldest recruit says the success of mature-aged ruckmen Ryan Abbott and Orren Stephenson inspired him to keep chasing his dream.

Darcy Fort was taken at pick No.68 by Geelong as a 205cm ruckman on Friday, their ruck issues entering next season meaning he has a real chance to shine.

The former Geelong Falcon grew up in the Geelong suburb of Belmont only five minutes from Kardinia Park then completed a football odyssey through a trio of state-league clubs.

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After time at VFL clubs Werribee and Footscray, three excellent seasons at SANFL club Central Districts convinced Geelong he was AFL-ready.

A civil engineer working on highways and bridges in Adelaide over the past seven months, he took time off from work on Friday to watch the draft by himself at home.

The 99kg big man flew back into Melbourne on Sunday night to start training at Geelong on Monday morning, realising a dream seven seasons after he was first overlooked by AFL clubs.

Darcy Fort soars over the pack. Picture: Sarah Reed

“I had spoken to Geelong halfway through the year and had contact with them through the rest of the year and I was always hoping but you never really know until your name gets rad out,” Fort said.

“I played my first year at Geelong Falcons when I was 19 and came out to South Australia to play for Centrals for three years and it was just a natural progression of getting fitter and stronger and having more experience in my ruck craft against bigger bodies.

“After three years there I knew I could go forward and kick goals and take big marks. I was inspired by Orren Stephenson because I had rucked against him when he came into the AFL as a 29-year-old and he towelled me up a couple of times. It always gave me hope there was plenty of time to make it.”

Athletic tall Rhys Stanley established himself as the Cats’ first ruckman last year but as he battled injury Abbott impressed in four games, including an elimination final.

Werribee coach Scott West with Ben Brown and Darcy Fort. Picture: Martin Philbey

Darcy Fort (right) and his brother Fraser as Geelong Falcons in 2012.

Fort believes he can thrive in the full-time football environment provided by Geelong after working long days this year before training at night with Centrals.

“I have been living in South Australia with no family over here. I was just sitting at home by myself watching the draft.

“The first couple of hours were pretty long and it was anxious but once my name got read out I was over the moon.

“My mum had said she wasn’t going to watch it but she was on the phone straight away and then I rang my girlfriend and then the phone started blowing up after that.”

Originally published as Darcy Fort says seeing mature-age success stories keep his AFL dream alive before Geelong called