Starting any new job can be daunting. New people, new surroundings, new processes can all lead to a little anxiety. It can be even more intimidating when you’re walking into a football club that has won two of the last three flags and knocked your old club out in both premiership campaigns.

So you wouldn’t blame Blake Caracella if he had a little trepidation when he first walked through the doors at Skilled Stadium in November.

“Well, it is always a little bit different whenever you change clubs,” he said.

“Every club has unique ways of doing things, but I feel like I have been here for a while already. It’s a great place to work and I’m looking ahead to the season starting.”

Caracella’s move to Geelong started just days after the Cats had clinched a second premiership in three years. Ken Hinkley left the club to move to Gold Coast and Geelong’s hierarchy made its move.

“Neil Balme left a message on my voice mail and it went from there,” Caracella said.

“We talked at length during the week and I also had a chat with Bomber and then it all came together quickly. I enjoyed my time at Collingwood but this is now a new challenge and one that I’m looking forward to.

“The people have been great and everyone made me feel very welcome, right from the first day. Before I came here I had a lot of respect for the club, and being here now it is as professional as it seemed from the outside.”

The 32 year old Caracella knew some friendly faces before joining the Cats. Mark Thompson was coaching Essendon reserves when Caracella began his AFL career, he was a team mate of David Johnson at Essendon and Nigel Lappin at the Brisbane Lions and Balme was football manager at Collingwood when he joined the Magpies. That familiarity made the switch even more comfortable.

“It is always easier when you know a few people to begin with,” he said. “There is just that little bit extra comfort level, knowing a few people well and having worked with them.

“The players have been great to work with. They want to get better and improve and they work extremely hard.”

Caracella was a decorated player throughout his 187 game playing career with Essendon, Brisbane and Collingwood. He is used to success, having played in two premierships from four grand final appearances.

“This group is very hungry,” he said. “They have come back into pre season and you would think they have something to prove. There is no sense of satisfaction or looking back at all. It’s a great place to be.”