Geelong forward Shaun Mannagh reflects on his first season and his form since returning to the side

Shaun Mannagh was stuck in the VFL — again. But he is finally seeing the rewards for his work on and off the field. He reflects on his at times challenging first year and his stellar form.

The team-first attitude of Shaun Mannagh has been a feature since he has returned to the Cats side, but an action outside the white line sums him up best.

As the Cats walked off the track from their main session ahead of a must-win clash against Fremantle, Mannagh trudged off the ground with a bag of Sherrins in one hand and another piece of equipment in the other.

Mannagh thought nothing of it.

“I don’t put too much thought into that, I just do what saves our property team carrying everything in themselves. At country level and local footy you’ve got to help out where you can so you don’t want to leave it to too few,” Mannagh said.

Shaun Mannagh smiles after the win over Fremantle. Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

The 27-year-old knows a fair bit about grassroots footy, having played at North Albury, Lavington, and Wanderers in the Northern Territory as he worked his way up the VFL ranks and was then, finally, given his AFL shot by Geelong.

When he was drafted as a mature-age recruit after producing astronomical numbers for Werribee in the VFL, it was assumed Mannagh would be a senior regular at the Cats.

But after the high of debuting in an opening round win in front of a packed house at GMHBA Stadium, Mannagh was back in the VFL two weeks later. Again.

“I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t frustrating, but at the same time I understood why. I needed to go back and learn the role properly at VFL level before I could contribute well enough at AFL level,” Mannagh said.

“I’m still a first-year player, not many players can play round one, so very fortunate and grateful to get that opportunity early and had to go back and work on my craft at VFL level and we had some pretty good form there.”

Mannagh was forced to bide his time as he learnt a selfless small forward role that was different to the one he played last year at Werribee, but he dug deep and pushed on.

With the Cats forward line firing for the most part, Mannagh had to wait until round 17 to get his next AFL chance.

And that only came after booting six goals and tallying 21 disposals, 11 score involvements, 10 tackles and 179 SuperCoach points.

“It was challenging at first to be fair but really good, I’ve really enjoyed the challenge of it all. Playing more of a traditional small forward and applying that pressure up forward to get some more forward half turnovers to finish with a few more goals for the team,” Mannagh said.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed it and obviously different teams, different strategy and everything as well. I’m fully invested in what I’m doing here and as long as I’m contributing to the team in some way I’m more than happy with that.”

MODEST MANNAGH

Mannagh went on to lay a game-high 14 tackles to go with 20 disposals against the Hawks – and that was just the beginning.

The hardworking forward has been an integral part of their late season run with his manic pressure, clean hands at ground level and forward half dynamism that has put a double chance and a home final firmly on the agenda for the Cats.

Geelong has won five of their last six games since his return, with Mannagh the 26th rated player in the competition in that period according to Champion Data.

Cue another team-first Mannagh response after he was asked about that rating.

Shaun Mannagh lays one of his 14 tackles against the Hawks. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Mannagh isn’t afriad to get his hands dirty. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“I don’t really read into it. I’m pretty focused with what we see within the four walls here, so if I’m doing my role for the team then I’m happy,” Mannagh said.

“If the coaches are happy it makes it a lot easier, so I don’t read too much into that stuff and as long as I’m doing what’s required then that’s good.”

The unselfish forward was given his moment in the sun with the game-sealing goal against Fremantle – a side that showed strong interest in him in the lead-up to the draft.

But that too was off the back of a defensive act, intercepting a handball with a crucial fist forward that left him off to the races after receiving the handball from Brad Close.

However, Mannagh was more pleased with Gryan Miers’ desperate rundown tackle on Andrew Brayshaw up the field.

“Shaun Mannagh. A match winner!”
We’ve got the bye so enjoy our man Shaun Mannagh’s match winner for the @GeelongCats over the Dockers yesterday 🍿 pic.twitter.com/WOGvZyo3np

— Werribee FC (@WerribeeFC) August 11, 2024

“(The goal) was pretty straightforward to be fair but I think it just started from the pressure from our small forwards really,” Mannagh said.

“Gryan’s chasedown tackle on Brayshaw to actually stop them going forward was a key part to it all to get a contest in the middle of the ground and surge it forward from there. I was just lucky to get on the end of it.”

At a joint press conference, AFLW captain Meg McDonald was itching to speak about the modest Mannagh, who was typically reluctant to talk himself up.

“I’ve been listening in here nodding wanting to put my two cents in because he is very modest which is something we love about him,” McDonald said.

“Everyone is really excited for how he is playing at the moment and the opportunities that he is getting and it speaks to how he is as a whole person, which is of course something that this club tries to promote in everyone.

“That’s how you earn your hoops, is being fantastic on and off the field.”

Mannagh feels like he is still fighting for his spot each week, but his injection of x-factor and dedication to the little things will be crucial as the Cats push for a premiership.

Originally published as Geelong forward Shaun Mannagh reflects on his first season and his form since returning to the side