Geelong welcomed four fresh faces to their list during the 2025 AFL Draft period. As they navigate their way through their first year in the AFL system, Geelong’s Rookie Journal series will help you get to know the new Cats and the stories that led to them becoming AFL footballers.   

Nick Driscoll was the next player to sit down with Cats Media this year, providing insight into his journey that led him to the Geelong Football Club. 

It has been incredible, especially those last few weeks before the draft.

It sort of came up out of nowhere, Geelong held their cards very close to their chest throughout the draft period and throughout my Under 18s year.

It has been a whirlwind, but getting to know everyone at the club has been incredible and so far it has been a lot of fun. 

My love for the game probably started with Dane Swan early on, then I kept growing that through playing local footy with my mates. 

Growing up I went for Collingwood, so I remember watching Dane Swan playing ANZAC Day footy.

There was a specific goal that he kicked, running on his left foot that he nailed from the pocket which started it all. 

I started playing with my brother down at Yarrambat, he is two years older than me and I played a couple of years with him.

Then I transitioned across to Eltham where all my mates from school were playing.

I think when I started to make a few representative squads, that was when I thought an AFL career might be possible.

Through the Northern Knights program in Under 16s, I had some good coaches through there that really pushed me and gave me some good opportunities. They really said that if I dig in and have a real crack, there is a fair chance.

There was definitely a few setbacks throughout the journey but that's okay, we got over them and here we are. 

I had some really big coaches for me back at Eltham. Ryan Williams, who is one of my friend's good mates, his Dad got me right into that team aspect of footy.

When I got through the Knights program, I had Anthony Rocca as a head coach and he really mentored me.

Then I had Christian Stagliano who had a lot of AFL experience, another great mentor that tapped into that AFL mindset with his experience and slowly fed me some of the information that I needed, that would really hold me in good stead once I did walk into the walls of an AFL club. I am really thankful for his help throughout that journey. 

I had met with Simon Murphy probably halfway through my Under 18s year. I hadn't had any follow up conversations after that, so I didn't really know where that was going to head.

Then I was actually sitting on my couch watching the livestream of the rookie draft, Simon called me and he asked "are you watching the draft?"

I said "Yeah," and he said, "We just picked you." It hadn't even updated on my stream or anything, I hadn't seen anything so that was some experience and it was incredible.

I quickly got on the phone to Mark Worthington and Stephen Wells, it was a hectic few minutes. Then after I put down the phone, I celebrated with family. 

After getting drafted, Ross [Hill] came around and said they would try and get me in by the Sunday, and he was there on Friday afternoon. I was in at the club on the Sunday, Shannon [Byrnes] gave us a massive tour of the facilities with the three other boys and once we got done with that, we went out for dinner with the management team.

They prepared us for the quick turnaround from when you do get picked up, but it really was quick and we sort of just got thrown straight in, but that is the stuff we love doing anyway. 

Nigel Lappin has been incredible for me so far. I have been told by a lot of people that he is the best in the business, so being able to learn from him is going to be incredible.

Then obviously growing up a Collingwood fan, Nathan Buckley was another special one.

I got a text from him on the draft day and that was very surprising, but he has been very welcoming.

He is looking to improve everyone in the team, so to be able to take some knowledge from him will be incredible.