“That was when I kind of felt I could take it to the next level.”
Lawson Humphries isn’t much of a household name, but after Thursday night’s qualifying final performance, he has etched himself into Geelong folklore.
Humphries was drafted as a ‘mature-ager’ at 20 years of age with Pick 63 in last year’s National Draft and thought he’d have to “bide his time a bit” given his late selection.
However, through the impressive work of Cats development coach Nigel Lappin, Humphries, along with fringe players Ollie Dempsey, Shannon Neale, Shaun Mannagh, and Oisin Mullin, have made steps to stardom, playing pivotal roles in the club’s top-four finish and subsequent first finals win.
“Nigel Lappin (Geelong development coach) is really good… there’s so many good development stories (at the club),” Humphries said.
“He brings a lot of positivity and confidence and gave me some advice on little things to fix up and keep me on it.
“I knew a lot about him as a footballer. But as a person and as a coach, he’s been so good.
“You’re talking about being away from home – having a positive figure like that, a senior figure, around the club, it makes you feel a lot more welcome.
“Nigel Lappin was a huge player in improving my game throughout the year.”
Humphries was plucked from WAFL side Swan Districts, where he featured in both the seniors and reserves, playing an integral role in the latter’s three-point premiership win over West Perth.
Since entering the doors of Kardinia Park last November, the left-footer has impressed immediately and got his first AFL nod in Round 16 after an impressive stretch in the twos.
“There’s probably a couple of games that I played really well,” Humphries said.
“And that was when I kind of felt I could take it to the next level and that I’m probably not as far off as I first thought.
“Being a late pick I felt that I had to bide my time a bit.”
Now, he’s preparing to play in the penultimate week of the AFL competition, awaiting the winner of GWS and Brisbane for a spot in the grand final.
“On the weekend, I was trying to take it all in because a year ago, I was watching the (AFL) finals on TV,” Humphries said.
“Playing in the AFL finals is a different level and I’m really grateful for the opportunity. Half way through the year I was playing VFL and I thought I was going to play there for most the year.
“It’s kind of surreal that it’s all happening, but I’m loving it.”
History will suggest that Geelong have a knock of finding diamonds in the rough.
But the work of their coaching staff and list managers continues to extend their period of success, bucking the law of equalisation and remaining premiership contenders.
And Humphries is just example number 50.
