Geelong draftee Xavier Ivisic on the late Travis McCombe, draft snubs and being picked up by hometown club

Xavier Ivisic’s road to joining his hometown club wasn’t all smooth sailing. But the tragic death of a beloved physio who had helped him on his journey put things into perspective.

Geelong draftee Xavier Ivisic experienced a challenging setback this year and a nerve-racking wait before hearing name called by the Cats in the rookie draft.

But the devastating death of Geelong physio Travis McCombe at the age of 53 last Tuesday put things into perspective.

Ivisic is close with McCombe’s son, Marley, and felt the love and care from the dedicated physio first-hand through his school footy with Geelong Grammar.

The new Cat can’t thank McCombe, who passed away from a medical episode in Papua New Guinea, enough for everything he has done to get him to this point.

Xavier Ivisic is thankful for Travis McCombe. Picture: Brad Fleet

Travis McCombe passed away in Papua New Guinea last week. Picture: Alison Wynd

“Trav was one of the greatest blokes I’ve ever met. I went into his clinic a countless amount of times, I don’t reckon I paid a cent,” Ivisic said.

“So that just shows how much of a great man Trav was. He always put me in front of everyone else, himself.

“If I ever needed anything I could go Trav and he was always there with open arms.

“And especially for Marley, he is one of my best mates.

“I went over to his house after I heard the news. It’s been obviously very devastating, but we’ve got to stick together and do Trav’s legacy some good.”

Ivisic’s draft year paled in comparison to his school footy teammate, Richmond No. 1 pick Sam Lalor.

The lift-bodied midfielder-forward impressed for the Geelong Falcons, Geelong Grammar and Vic Country – where he averaged 22 disposals and five marks – but his national combine invite was lost in the mail.

Falcons co-captain and Western Bulldogs draftee Lachie Jaques said at the national combine that ‘Iva’ was “a bit stiff’ not to be there with him, while AFL Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheahan told SEN that Ivisic shaped as one of the steals of the draft.

He showcased his strong tank at the state combine, running the 2km time trial in six minutes and 29 seconds.

Xavier Ivisic runs the 2km time trial at the state combine. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“I was pretty flat with missing out. But I took it as a bit of a motivation factor and I thought, I’ll just prove everyone wrong that I probably should have been there,” Ivisic said.

“But still glad that I made it to the state (combine) and I’m here now.”

The next snub came last Thursday night when he was overlooked ahead of 71 other draftees.

“I went to bed pretty shattered that night,” Ivisic said.

“But I knew there was still a day tomorrow, Friday was my best crack.”

Sure enough, the Bell Park and Geelong Amateur junior was selected with by hometown club with the 12th pick in the rookie draft. His Falcons teammate Joe Pike, who had fed the ball in his lap over the past two years, joined the Cats 19 selections later.

Joe Pike and Xavier Ivisic will continue as teammates. Picture: Mike Dugdale

“It is unreal, when I saw my name read out by Geelong, I actually couldn’t believe it. I will be forever grateful that I’m staying at home and it is just five minutes down the road,” Ivisic said.

Ivisic only has a one-year rookie contract, but the driven talent will stop at nothing to prove himself.

“I kind of like it like that, bit of backs against the wall and I’ll fight to hopefully receive an extension at the end of this year. Just grateful that I even get a year,” Ivisic said.

“Just going to give everything a red hot crack, I am going to go 110% at every contest, every ball that’s there and hopefully get to pull on the hoops a couple of times.”

Originally published as Geelong draftee Xavier Ivisic on the late Travis McCombe, draft snubs and being picked up by hometown club