RYAN Gardner wanted to be thrown in at the deep end this season and so far the first-year Geelong key defender has not been disappointed.

Gardner was the Cats' first selection in last year's NAB AFL Draft at pick No.59 overall.

The 196cm Tasmanian weighed 89kg when he walked through the doors of Simonds Stadium last November – he is now 95kg but has a target weight of 103kg – and knew with Harry Taylor, Tom Lonergan and Lachie Henderson stationed inside the Cats' defensive 50 breaking into the senior team would most likely prove a long-term task.

Nonetheless, Gardner was determined to fast track his development as much as possible with Geelong's VFL team in 2016.

So week after week he has put his hand up to play on the opposition's most dangerous key forward.

His opponents have included two-time All Australian Travis Cloke, Carlton's Liam Jones, Western Bulldog Tom Boyd and former Bulldog Ayce Cordy.

Gardner conceded significant weight and strength to all four forwards, but kept Cloke and Boyd goalless – although Cloke kicked four behinds, including one from the top of the goalsquare – and conceded just one goal to each of Cordy and Jones.

The 19-year-old told AFL.com.au playing on such seasoned opponents was daunting at times, but invaluable for his development.

"I've found it pretty challenging playing on guys like Travis Cloke," Gardner said.

"But I basically said to 'Cheese' (VFL coach Shane O'Bree) I'd like to play on their best player each week just to boost my confidence and even if I did have a bad week I'd know it's going to help me improve.

"I'd rather throw myself into the deep end than play on guys that I know I can beat."

Gardner said Cloke had been his toughest opponent given his brute strength.

"I knew when the ball was coming in he was going to try and wrestle with me, so I had to sit off him and hit the contest at the right time.

"To keep him goalless – even though he probably should have kicked one from the goalsquare – was good for my confidence."

Gardner says he could not have found a better learning environment than the one he walked into at Geelong.

He has worked closely with Taylor and Lonergan on his game, regularly does "little extras" after training with Cats backline coach and six-time All Australian Matthew Scarlett, and has thrived under O'Bree's tutelage.

Scarlett has helped Gardner refine his spoiling technique – "I used to wind up too much, so we've been practising taking smaller jabs at the football" – while he is working with Taylor on when to come off his man and with O'Bree on body spoiling.

Gardner is focused on finishing 2016 strongly in the VFL, knowing he has plenty of work ahead of him before he can think of making his AFL debut.

"My body is still not up to AFL standard and I'm still learning a fair bit about some of our structures as well," he said.

"The club has said I'm a long-term player in that it will take me a while to get there.

"I just want to learn all the craft so when it comes to getting my go I can hold a spot in the AFL team."