Geelong VFL captain Dan Capiron opens up on how Cats changed his life after draft despair
Dan Capiron was jealous, confused and ashamed after missing out in his draft year. But crossing to Geelong VFL proved to be life-changing. The Cats’ VFL captain opens up on his defining shift and draft hopeful Charlie McCartin.
Local Footy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Football used to define Dan Capiron.
A promising junior talent who represented Vic Country and Dandenong Stingrays in his draft year of 2014, Capiron didn’t hear his name called on draft night as several close mates did.
It was a rude shock that left Capiron jealous, confused and ashamed.
“It’s a hard transitioning period, finishing school and not knowing where you want to go,” Capiron said.
“That’s definitely a period there with a lot of close friends getting picked up, I found myself in a bit of a juxtaposition where I was so proud of them, but unbelievably jealous at the same time — and I didn’t feel great about feeling jealous. And didn’t felt great because I thought low of myself and I really valued what I did on a weekend in footy.
“I thought everyone else was thinking that about me as well, but it’s just not the case.”
The Edithvale-Aspendale product went on to play two seasons with Frankston VFL and his low self-esteem continued as he placed his entire self-worth on what he did out on the footy field each weekend.
Then he got a call from Troy Selwood, Geelong’s VFL and Academy manager, asking him to come and ply his trade at Geelong VFL.
It was Capiron’s life-changing turning point.
The intercept defender fell in love with the club and through the people he met, he began to realise there was so much more to life than just football.
Ten years on from that shattering draft blow, Capiron was named captain of Geelong’s VFL side – just as Selwood had been during his playing days.
And on the weekend the 28-year-old celebrated his 100th game with a win over the Northern Bullants.
“If you asked me two weeks ago, I probably wouldn’t have said much (about the milestone). Little bit of carry-on for 100 twos games,” Capiron chuckled.
“But over that time, I’ve reflected on the people that I’ve met, and that’s what means the most to me. I mean, this place has changed my life, and it’s because of the people in it.
“So I look back more at the people I’ve meet rather than wins or successful seasons or road trips or anything like that, it’s just the people that you meet along the way.”
Shane O’Bree – appointed as Collingwood’s recruiting manager in March after 12 years at the Cats – and Nathan Tweddle, who replaced Selwood when he moved into recruiting, were father figures to Capiron as he evolved as a person and a player in Geelong’s VFL program.
“You tend to see these people more than you see your own family, so they definitely do become family,” Capiron said.
“Supported me through injuries, uni degrees I didn’t want to do and supporting me with whatever life decision and work and trying to balance footy around that.
“Every time I spoke to ‘Tweeds’ it was always first question is, how am I going, other than footy.
“And I’m so happy that I’ve got someone like that, him and Shane both the same. So him and Shane were just unbelievable for me, and still are to this day.”
Since O’Bree and Tweddle departed their VFL roles, it has been VFL coaches Mark Corrigan and Aaron Black who have filled their void as supportive older brothers.
“It means the world to me and I’m just keen to get on with the rest of the season and repay the people that have put a lot of effort into me and other people that have picked me in the program for the last eight to nine years,” Capiron said.
With a completely different mindset to the despondent 20-year-old that arrived in 2017, Capiron is eager to help other youngsters experiencing the same lows as he was.
“If I can help them by sharing my experiences and making their days better and making them feel better about themselves, then that’s the role I’m willing to play,” Capiron said.
“It might be a selfish thing, but I’m a firm believer that life’s about what you can do for other people, so that’s why I get a lot of gratification and it makes me feel really great about it.”
The riches of local footy can be alluring for senior VFL players, but Capiron will have to be dragged out of Kardinia Park kicking and screaming.
“When I first came here I fell in love with the place and I thought this is a place where I can really see myself evolving into someone that I’m proud of, because that hasn’t always been the case,” Capiron said.
“So I think they’re going to have to kick me out of this joint because I still feel that way at the moment, so I don’t want to give that up.
“I’m still evolving, I am not a finished product.”
ANOTHER GREAT MCCARTIN
Capiron played alongside 2014 No. 1 pick Paddy McCartin for Vic Country, and now there is, “another great McCartin”, coming through.
Charlie McCartin, 26, is just two years younger than Capiron, but his AFL dream is well and truly alive.
The middle brother of Paddy McCartin – and Sydney stopper Tom, Charlie joined Geelong’s VFL program over the summer.
The 193cm defender’s intercepting feats in the Colac & District league for Lorne – coached by 221-game Blue Ed Curnow - caught the attention of AFL clubs in his first season of footy since 2017.
How about this mark from @LorneFNC Charlie McCartin on the weekend. He took an amazing 19 marks for the match. @Cdfnllive@sydneyswans@ctryfootyscorespic.twitter.com/sAN38XJgtF
— Max Blake (@maxblake9and44) August 25, 2024
He has made an impressive start to the VFL season, averaging 18 disposals, nine intercepts and nine marks across his first two games, as he presses his case for the mid-season draft.
Capiron can’t speak highly enough of his backline teammate who he hopes can become the third McCartin to make the AFL.
“He is going really well, ‘Chuck’. He is a sponge, he is trying to learn, obviously having a big lay-off with footy, he is trying to learn, he is trying to have fun with it too,” Capiron said.
“It is great for the young blokes as well. They see a 26-year-old trying to learn as much as him, he is great for the boys around him.
“He might need to back himself in a little bit more in terms of what he knows, because it is a heap.
“Proud of how he’s going and I think we are just scratching the surface with him, so it’s exciting to see for him and his family, because his family, they’re synonymous with Geelong and in AFL footy and he’s just another great McCartin coming through.
“For him I’m hoping he gets there because he hasn’t played it for a while, he hasn’t played it for whatever reason, but he’s back loving it, enjoying himself and he’s a ripping guy, so I wish him all the best as well.”
Capiron joked that he wants McCartin and ex-Collingwood swingman Nathan Kreuger to be alongside him in the Cats back six for the entire season, but Kreuger is also pressing for an AFL lifeline.
Kreuger, 25, returned to Geelong VFL – where he played three seasons while on Geelong’s AFL list – after being delisted by Collingwood following another injury-affected year.
The 196cm big man had six appearances for the Pies as a forward last year but has stood out in defence with his reading of the play and contested marking – including two soaring grabs in the opening two rounds.
Nathan Kreuger that is MASSIVE!!
— VFL / VFLW (@VFL) March 23, 2025
🎥: Watch the Smithy’s VFL live and free on the AFL website and AFL Live Official App: https://t.co/3V9lTkTeJkpic.twitter.com/nzVPBMe3Ux
“He’s got so much to give to a list. He’s a hard matchup up in the forward line. We saw when he played for Collingwood up forward, he always kicked a goal a game, but his body didn’t really hold up,” Capiron said.
“But I think in coming back to the VFL level, he shows why he’s a class above every week. I mean I know I’ve only played two rounds (with him), but two rounds and two hangers!
“He has really shored us behind the ball and really gets things going for us, so whether he gets back in the AFL or not, that’s obviously not up to me, but he’s doing everything right.
“Selfishly I’d love to keep him, but for him I absolutely would him to see him back on an AFL list.”
More Coverage
Originally published as Geelong VFL captain Dan Capiron opens up on how Cats changed his life after draft despair
Key players, your side’s hopes: Our EDFL Division 1 preview
The EDFL Division 1 season is days away and we’ve broken down every club’s hopes. See all the new faces, the exits, the players set to shape their side’s season and our verdict.
Riddell embrace the challenge for flag defence
Riddell coach Arron Bray is telling his players to embrace the challenge of being reigning premiers as the Bombers get an immediate test of strength.