If the past two seasons are anything to go by, be prepared for rapid improvement from Ryan Abbott.
 
A standout year in Geelong’s VFL system saw the Cats select the 23-year-old with their final pick in last month’s draft and now thrown into the full-time, professional environment of the AFL, Abbott is hoping his upward trend continues.
 
"2016 was a fantastic season for me in my first season at VFL-level,” Abbott told Cats Media.
 
"I feel like I grew as a player a lot quicker than I had in almost two or three years before then.
 
"I’m hoping again that the full-time experience is going to make that happen even quicker again."
 
Abbott joined the VFL Cats this season after building his football resume at local club Grovesdale in the Geelong Football League where he was named in the league’s team of the year for 2015 and given the nod as the GFL interleague ruckman.
 
And while developing at a rapid rate as mobile ruckman, Abbott will be looking to add far more versatility to his game in his first year as an AFL footballer.
 
“I’m looking to improve on the all round craft; working with a lot of experienced players. Forward work especially and that backline work as well,” Abbott said. 

“I feel like working with a lot of the older boys like Harry Taylor and Tommy Lonergan is going to be really good for my development.
 
“That’s where I would like to eventually see myself playing – that all-round utility option.”

To watch the full interview with Ryan Abbott click on the video player at the top of the page