NEW Geelong VFL signing Matt Ling hasn’t given up hope of getting another crack at AFL level and hopes to use 2022 as a springboard back to the elite level.
After being taken with the Swans’ first pick in the 2017 National Draft, the St Mary’s product spent four injury-interrupted years with Sydney.
However, he managed just four AFL games during his stint in the Harbour City before being let go at the end of the 2021 season.
Ling said linking up with the Cats was the ideal scenario.
“I was always keen to come back down here,” he said. “It’s close to home and closer to my friends and family.
“And I think it will be good for my footy as well.
“I’ve heard good things about Geelong VFL and was keen to come here.
“I had a call from a WAFL club, but I’d already signed here.”
Ling, who is only 22, admits it wasn’t “a huge shock” when told by Sydney his time at the club was up.
“It obviously still cut pretty deep, and it fuels me to give it another crack,” he said.
“I’m keen to play some footy and play my game.
“I haven’t had the opportunity to do that, so I’m just so excited to do that.
“There’s no specific role yet, but I think I’ll be playing off half-back.”
Ling said the injuries that had limited him, especially in his first two seasons with Sydney, were a thing of the past.
“I’m all sweet now – I’m perfect,” he said. “I was pretty much fine the whole year apart from an ankle injury that no one could avoid.
“But, I’m feeling 100 per cent now, feeling fit and ready to go.”
Ling will have St Mary’s as his interchange club, where he is keen to play alongside brother Harry for the first time since their Falcons days.
“I trained there last week, and it was good fun,” he said.
“It was good being with all my best mates, and I’m keen to play there again.”
Twitter: @tom_king79
