You can’t take anything for granted in football.

That’s the biggest lesson new VFL Cat Daniel Capiron has learnt so far in his short football career.

Dealing with injuries, form issues and playing for a side that won a mere two games in two years, the former Frankston defender is ready for a fresh start.

Capiron played in both the Dolphins wins in 2016, and they helped change his perspective on football.

“It was like we won a grand final, we hadn’t won a game in a year,” he said.

“It sounds stupid but it really makes you appreciate winning a lot more and I think that will help me as a footballer in the future. 

“You just realise there are clubs out there that are struggling to get those wins and I definitely won’t be taking any wins for granted.”

Despite the improvement, the Dolphins’ VFL licence was terminated for the upcoming season and Capiron was unsure where he would ply his trade in 2017.

“All the Frankston stuff went down and I didn’t really know where I wanted to go with my footy,” Capiron said.

“I wasn’t really sure for a while there and then I got a call to say there was an opportunity down here and I thought it would be a good experience and a fresh start.”

With family connections in Geelong and the chance to play for an AFL aligned club, the Cats were a standout choice.

“You go to a directly aligned AFL/VFL side, it is going to be a step up with the facilities and coaches which I’m really enjoying,” Capiron said.

“[Having family in Geelong] made the move really easy and I’ve obviously got someone who is always there for me down here.”

The young defender toyed with the idea of playing local football in 2017 but the opportunity to play at a higher level was too hard to pass up. 

“I didn’t know if I wanted to still strive to play at VFL level or just go back to a local club and play with my mates,” he said. 

“I’d been with the Stingrays and then Frankston the past couple of years so I thought it might be good to get out and see how I’d go in a different area.”

Capiron was unlucky not to be drafted in 2014 after playing good consistent football for Dandenong Stingrays, which saw him represent Vic Country in the U18 National Championships. 

Despite the disappointment of not being selected, the 20-year-old is still working hard at the dream of playing at the highest level.

“I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m still trying to get drafted, that’s my goal and that’s what I want to do,” Capiron said.

“I just need to keep working and if it comes, it comes but if it doesn’t I know I’ll at least get the best out of myself.”

Seeing 12 VFL players selected in the 2016 national and rookie drafts, there are avenues to still achieve your dream, Capiron believes.

“It gives everyone a bit of hope and gives everyone that little edge at training thinking this time next year you could be like Tom Stewart or Ryan Abbott,” he said.

“Everyone is working hard, not just to get picked up, but just to improve themselves.”

Improving is Capiron’s biggest focus in 2017, with his last season at Frankston an inconsistent one by his standards.

Capiron played 11 games for the Dolphins, playing predominantly in the backline, whilst also spending time on the wing. 

“I was pretty disappointed with how I went, had a few good games here and there but the work that I was putting in off the field wasn’t correlating with how I was playing.

“I can’t really dwell on it too much, you’ve just got to focus on what to improve on,” he said. 

Capiron also dealt with numerous injuries throughout his 2016 campaign, but has put them behind him and is enjoying an uninterrupted preseason.

“I had a fair few injuries, one in the Geelong game last year, Will Sexton dived across my leg which I stirred him up a bit about, that put me out for a bit,” he said.

“I’m trying to have a full preseason this year and I haven’t missed one [session], so I’m just trying to get through.”

Whilst there is still a lot of work to be put in before the season starts, Capiron is raring to pull on the blue and white hoops and get the opportunity to line up with some of the Cats’ AFL talent.

“If I get a game, it will be really awesome, there is a lot of opportunities for VFL players to improve playing with AFL listed players to see their intensity levels,” he said.

“I’ve played against AFL players before but playing with them will give an understanding of what it takes to perform on game day.”

Whilst there will be numerous other high profile players fighting for a game at VFL level this season, Capiron is excited by the challenge.

“I really wanted that extra challenge and even if you aren’t getting a game, you are still getting that high level development into you,” he said.

“You’ve got a bunch of 40 blokes in the same position, all in it together which is good.”

The VFL Cats will announce more signings and re-signings in the lead up to the 2017 VFL practice match series.