Geelong lands South Australian mature-age gun Nathan Kreuger

GEELONG has “jumped the queue” and snared highly-rated South Australian mature-age key forward Nathan Kreuger.

New Geelong Cats signing Nathan Kreuger. Picture: Alan Barber

GEELONG has “jumped the queue” and snared highly-rated South Australian mature-age key forward Nathan Kreuger.

The Cats on Monday completed a deal with Carlton, trading pick 42 to the Blues in exchange for one of their pre-draft compensation picks which can be used on state league players.

Geelong will use that selection on Kreuger, who completed a whirlwind weekend by flying from Adelaide visit to the club on Sunday to finalise the deal.

Kreuger only found out about the potential on Friday night and has had to keep his slips sealed since, not even able to resign from his job at Telstra until all the official paperwork had been completed.

“It’s an unreal feeling. It’s a dream come true, really. It’s the best moment of my life so far,” Kreuger said.

“I was at work and I had finished up for the day. I got home and saw I had a missed call from one of the recruiters and I rang him back and he broke the news to me.

“I was absolutely thrilled.”

After heartbreakingly missing out on a spot on an AFL list in last year’s draft, Kreuger established himself as a regular senior player with South Adelaide in the SANFL.

The 196cm key forward, who can also play in defence, made his debut in Round 6 and earned the SANFL’s version of a rising star nomination in Round 16.

The 19-year-old finished 2018 playing 13 senior games, kicking 22 goals.

“I’m athletic, cover the ground reasonably well. I’ve been trying to build my endurance to stay in the game longer and have an impact on what’s going on around me,” Kreuger said.

“I think I can play a couple of different positions, I’m a pretty versatile player, but I felt comfortable this year playing one position, having a role and doing my part for the team.”

Pick 42 didn’t last long in the hands of the Cats, who gained it and pick 60 from Brisbane in a deal for Lincoln McCarthy and picks 54 and 57.

The Cats are the first club to trade for the pre-draft picks given to both Gold Coast and Carlton by the AFL to help make them more competitive on-field.

The deal comes less than a week after Chris Scott said the club would “improve every part of the club using every means necessary”.

Geelong’s list manager Stephen Wells said the Cats were keen to pounce on the opportunity to snare the athletic Kreuger before the draft.

“Clubs have got to be open to every opportunity that comes their way and that rule that was brought in for Carlton and Gold Coast has given another little opportunity,” Wells said.

“We have perhaps jumped the queue for getting Nathan on our list before the draft.

“Nathan is a player we have been following for a few years now. Last year, in our opinion, he was unlucky not to be given some sort of opportunity at the AFL club.

“As it has turned out, it might have been the best thing for him. He has gone back and played some terrific senior football for South Adelaide, he has been well coached at that club and in the South Australian system.

“Now we think he is ready to get to an AFL club and put his best foot forward.”

Originally published as Geelong lands South Australian mature-age gun Nathan Kreuger