Podsiadly’s road to the top is now well known. From AFL rookie lists, back to years in the VFL and, finally, another promotion to the AFL at age 28.
Whether it was that long-way-round story that resonated with Geelong fans on Sunday or simply the fact the second-gamer was booting goals for the reigning premiers was difficult to say.
But something struck a chord with Cats supporters, as the man known as “Pods”, upon leaving the field late in the match, received a roar usually reserved for blue and white royalty.
“I can’t explain it,” Podsiadly said after his five-goal haul.
“That was pretty surreal to be honest. I was wondering if Gary Ablett was running behind me when I was running off.”
A week after booting two goals and taking 11 marks in an impressive debut, Podsiadly followed up that effort with a superb display on the turf he will now call home.
His precise left boot steered home 5.1 as the Cats celebrated a special day - in which they unfurled their 2009 premiership flag and opened a new grandstand - by belting the Power by 95 points.
“To be honest it was just good to win,” Podsiadly said.
“Playing your first game last week and having a loss was pretty disappointing, so to win here on a big day for the club and, just to be a part of it ... is something I’ll remember for a long time.”
The former rookie at Essendon and Collingwood admitted he wasn’t sure whether he would line up alongside fellow talls Cam Mooney and Tom Hawkins but the trio showed they could not only work together, but potentially cause huge headaches for opposing teams in 2010.
“I suppose when [the Cats] talked about drafting me it was more of a back-up option [in case] one of those guys went down or whatever,” Podsiadly said.
“So if it was round 10 or round 20, if one of those guys went down, just to be ready.
“We worked together all pre-season, in the weights room and out on the track ... so we sort of knew what we were about and out there today we didn’t get in each other’s way.”
Coach Mark Thompson wasn’t surprised by Podsiadly’s good return on Sunday, saying the club recruited the key forward because it “knew he could play football”.
And after liking what he saw from the Mooney-Hawkins-Podsiadly combination, rival clubs should perhaps start planning for that trio in coming weeks.
“Clearly today it worked,” the coach said.
“I thought they all had an impact. I thought we looked really dangerous when we kicked the ball in there to an even-numbered contest, so I think it’ll probably happen again next week.
“We’ll see how long it lasts for and I hope it does last because there wouldn’t be too many sides with three really good tall defenders out there, so it might be an advantage for us.”
