PORT Adelaide recruit Wylie Buzza could see the writing on the wall at Geelong.
The 23-year-old played nine senior games with the Cats – and none this year – as he had to bide his time behind Virgin Australia AFL All Australian full forward Tom Hawkins.
Buzza's VFL form was solid, 32 goals in 17 games, but the 199cm key forward/ruck wasn't shocked when told he'd be delisted after four seasons at the club.
Buzza on the left pic.twitter.com/SlxqBDODkw
— Lee Gaskin (@Lee_Gaskin1) November 10, 2019
"I thought the writing was on the wall somewhat, very much starved of opportunity, but so were a lot of us," Buzza said on Monday as he joined his Power teammates for the first time.
"We had hardly any injuries this year and the common theme that (Cats coach) Chris Scott said publicly was we were enjoying the fact we didn't have injuries and we were having that continuity of the same team.
"It did make it hard for us guys to get in."
>> The 2019 NAB AFL Draft runs from November 27-28. Follow all the latest news in the draft hub
Once he was officially released by the Cats, it didn't take the Power long to reach out to Buzza's manager.
The Power needed to add depth to their key position stocks with Paddy Ryder and Dougal Howard joining St Kilda, and Billy Frampton moving across town to Adelaide, during the Telstra AFL Trade Period.
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"Once Port showed a bit of interest, Ken (coach Ken Hinkley) was straight on to the phone with me and we had a good chat," Buzza said.
"He put his pitch forward of why he wants me across and I really liked what he had to say, so I'm pretty excited."
Ebert and Mayes among those joining most of the young Port players at training, along with new recruit Buzza pic.twitter.com/mB22cIfsB0
— Lee Gaskin (@Lee_Gaskin1) November 10, 2019
Buzza doesn't have a lot of job security having signed a one-year deal with the Power for next season.
However, he cited the likes of Hawthorn's Ricky Henderson and Brisbane's Mitch Robinson, who have turned their careers around at their new clubs after getting a second chance.
Buzza will primarily be a back-up to key forward Charlie Dixon, although he believes they may be able to complement each other.
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"I'm happy to play a supporting role to Charlie if that's what the team needs," Buzza said.
"I think what Charlie brings is when he's at his best, he's one of the best key forwards (in the competition), so it'd be great to learn off him."
Rugby league was Buzza's first love, before the Queenslander switched to Australian Football when he was 16.
He played well enough in his quick transition to grab the attention of the Cats with the 69th pick of the 2015 NAB AFL Draft.
"I came from a non-AFL background before I got drafted to Geelong, so I'm still really fresh and I feel like I've just been hitting my straps at Geelong," he said.
I'd like to think I've served a four-year apprenticeship, and now I'm ready to go. - Wylie Buzza
Meanwhile, Power utility Jack Watts got through plenty of running at training on Monday as he continues his comeback from a serious leg injury.
Watts missed the majority of the season after breaking his leg and damaging his ankle in round two against Carlton.
Watts then ran a heap of 200s. No issues at all with the leg. Extremely good signs heading into next year https://t.co/CPlvCFY35T
— Lee Gaskin (@Lee_Gaskin1) November 11, 2019