The Geelong Peter Jackson VFL team’s laid-back leader Jackson Hollmer finally brings up his 100-game milestone against Essendon this weekend.
For many, the frustrations of being part of a team aligned with one of the most dominant AFL clubs in recent history would have forced them elsewhere.
But not Hollmer, who is now into his ninth season with the Cats after crossing from Lorne in the Colac and District Football League and will be the first VFL listed Cat to record 100 games.
Despite constantly having to give up his place in the senior team for returning AFL-listed players and missing out on selection in Geelong’s 2007, 2012 and 2013 VFL Grand Final teams, the 29-year-old has stayed true to the blue and white hoops.
In typically laid-back style, Hollmer said he never thought of leaving for more playing opportunities elsewhere.
“They (the Cats) tell you that’s what’s going to happen when you first sign up,” he said.
“They’re very good down at Geelong; I’ve had a few operations and they’ve looked after me in that way.
“I’m just happy to be playing VFL footy.”
Perhaps the reason for Hollmer’s longevity at the Cats has to do with his ability to adapt to playing in different positions in order to accommodate the AFL-listed players.
“I’ve played everywhere,” Hollmer said.
“I started as a run-with midfielder and then went and played back for a couple of years.
“For the last three years I’ve been down forward and I’ve even done a bit of back-up ruck work over the last couple of years, which was a bit different.
“I think my first ruck contest was against Jarrod Witts from Collingwood and he’s about 210cm – that wasn’t fun at all.”
For the 185cm Hollmer, such a tall challenge probably wouldn’t have fazed him.
Neither does the challenge of being a co-captain at Geelong, a role he took up in conjunction with Ben Raidme, Jackson Sheringham and Ryan Williams at the start of the season.
“I’m pretty happy with that; it’s a good badge to have,” Hollmer said.
“It might have just been a loyalty thing when they handed that out... I knew someone would have to do it with (former captain) Dom Gleeson leaving.”
Unsurprisingly, Hollmer describes his captaincy style as “laid-back”, primarily relying on strong relationships with his teammates to inspire them on the field.
He said one of the teammates who has most inspired him during his career was Geelong VFL champion James Byrne, Hollmer’s captain for his first two seasons with the Cats in 2007-08 and a man Hollmer said he “looked up to a lot”.
With only six more games until he overtakes Trent West’s Geelong VFL games record of 105, Hollmer can probably expect a lot more young Cats looking up to their laid-back and loyal leader.
Last Modified on 05/06/2015 17:42