JAMES Podsiadly (pictured) declares he's never been more ready to handle the step-up to AFL level after being rookie-listed by Geelong.
The VFL star was yesterday thrown an unexpected lifeline by the Cats after being listed as a mature age rookie and believes he is a much better player now than when he was originally rookie-listed by Essendon a decade ago.
Podsiadly revealed he had known for about six weeks that the reigning premiers were eyeing him off for a rookie spot and the 28-year-old, who captained Geelong's VFL side this season and won its best and fairest, declared he could still improve as a player being involved full-time with the Cats' AFL program.
"The training the last six weeks has definitely been a step up from VFL but I can still see myself improving," Podsiadly said.
"I've started to grasp the speed of training and decisions you've got to make and, if I can keep improving, I think I can handle it (AFL)."
Podsiadly was among four players chosen by Geelong in yesterday's AFL rookie draft. They included his VFL teammate Ben Johnson, who was recruited from GFL club Bell Park.
The Cats also chose mobile Gippsland Power defender Jack Weston and young Port Adelaide Magpies midfielder Jesse Stringer.
Podsiadly joined Geelong last season after a stellar VFL career at Werribee, where he won the Liston Trophy twice, won the league goalkicking (2005) and represented Victorian four times.
He booted 68 goals in 17 games for the Cats and finished third in the Liston Trophy after missing three games because of injury.
"I definitely feel this year that my footy improved just because of being in this environment," Podsiadly said.
"I've got no doubt that being in this environment full-time next year, my footy will improve again."
Podsiadly said he had tried to keep his meeting with the Cats coaching staff a secret from the rest of the playing group.
"The last six weeks I've really kept it to myself as much as I could. The AFL players were more excited than I was when they found out it (draft) happened," he said.
"It's been 10 years in the VFL so there's been bits and pieces where I've done pre-seasons elsewhere and in those seasons you think you're a chance (to be drafted) but I haven't really thought about being on a list for a while.
