Geelong recruit Jye Chalcraft was thrilled to make his VFL debut in the Bendigo Bank Cats’ Round 1 win against North Melbourne.

“It was unreal, I was pretty rapt getting the news on Thursday.” said new recruit Jye Chalcraft.

After playing for the Murray Bushrangers as a junior, ‘Chally’ joined St Mary’s Football Club in the GFL for 2020.

The young gun was also set to play for Geelong’s VFL side last year before the season came to an abrupt end before it even took off.

With a long preseason full of practice matches to stake his claim, he’s found himself a solid position in the midfield.

“I was just happy to get a game really, with the team that we had in.” Chalcraft said.

“They [North Melbourne] came out very hard in the first quarter, that was a step up in itself.”

“Round 1 is always a lot harder than praccy matches because everyone just comes out firing.”

He’s also found a role that suits him rather well, one that he’s always based the foundation of his game upon.

“As I was in the midfield the majority of the day I focussed on my pressure around the ball,” he said.

“Just sticking to what I should be doing...and then spreading from the contest and trying to get a touch.

”A good tackle gets you straight in the game so I always try and get a bit of body and work from there.”

With a squad rife with leadership and talent, it must be very nice to be a young midfielder surrounded by so much leadership.

Unsurprisingly, a few first-class leaders were in the ear of ‘Chally’ heading into the game.

“Dan Capiron, he’s a star, the likes of Darcy Lang and Aaron Black the skipper,” he said.

“They’re great leaders, it’s pretty good to be a part of it all.”

After a resounding win in their first game, the VFL squad will play over the weekend despite the round being classified as a bye for the team.

Facing a decision to have a hit out or take the weekend off, the Bankers decided to get their boots on for a go against the AFL’s Under 18 Academy side.

The match will kick off at 10.10AM at GMHBA Stadium in a curtain raiser to the AFL Geelong vs West Coast game.