TOBY Conway says signing a contract extension with Geelong “takes the pressure off” after an injury-interrupted first season at the club.
The 19-year-old ruck is locked away at GMHBA Stadium until the end of 2025 after the Cats’ first pick in last year’s National Draft added a further two years to his initial two-year deal.
“I can’t really see myself anywhere else,” the Geelong Falcons and St Mary’s product said. “I’m really happy here, with lots of good people around me.
“It does give me a lot of confidence. And it also takes the pressure off as well with any injuries because this year hasn’t been the best year for me injury-wise.
“Having the extra three years ahead of me does give me lots of confidence in myself and my body, and the knowledge that I have time to get my body right and my form up.”
CATS: IMPROVEMENT NEEDED TO CONTEND – SCOTT
If Conway had any concerns about pressure within the club for him to perform early in his career, coach Chris Scott was quick to ease them.
“I don’t think he should feel the pressure in two or three or four years that he has to be our No.1 ruckman,” Scott said.
“Even if that’s not the case, we’re still really optimistic that he’ll be an important player for us into the future.
“And I think history’s a pretty good guide with ruckman as well. It takes some time, and there is merit in a younger developing ruckman getting some game time with an experienced one.
“How that plays out for us is so hard to predict.
“But that’s the nature of list management, and the art of it – trying to forecast where younger guys are going to be; where you’re going to get your cover from if you get injuries.”
Conway is well aware he has plenty of development left in his game and his 205cm frame, which he hopes to “bulletproof.”
“Just so I can see where that takes me,” he said.
“I think the best thing right now for me would be continuity in my footy just to see where it can go.”
With just five rounds remaining, Conway knows time is running out to make his AFL debut.
However, he says playing at the highest level wasn’t his focus for 2022.
“It would have been great as a bonus,” Conway.
“But, from the start of the year, it’s always been my goal to try and get my body strong and able to compete at AFL level in the future.”
Twitter: @krockfootball
