Corey played his first game on a Friday night at the then Colonial Stadium against St Kilda. It was Corey’s first year with the Club after being selected eighth in the national draft from East Perth.
Coach Mark Thompson called Corey on Thursday to let him know he’d been selected in the side through good form. Corey had narrowly missed out on local selection a few weeks earlier.
Corey waited until after training to call his parent. His mum, sister and aunty caught the first plane to Melbourne to watch him play.
It was a long wait for Corey as it was an evening game. A little bit of housework and killing time is how he got through the day.
Running through the banner rates as one of Corey’s favourite memories, “It was the best feeling ever, running through the banner with the theme song blaring”.
Corey started on the half forward line against the Saint’s Tony Dalaney. With five minutes to go in the first quarter Corey was taken off. “It was the first time I had ever, ever been dragged”, Corey said, “but I was buggered”.
Corey’s first possession was the result of a kick from David Clarke. “I took a chest mark and then booted the ball as hard as I could, aiming for David Mensch… it nearly hit the roof”, Corey laughed, “It was an absolute shocker”.
