And while moving interstate can be a daunting proposition for most 18-year-olds, they can expect to be greeted by some familiar faces when they arrive.
The six new players themselves should be relatively familiar with each other considering they’ve all participated at the U18 AFL National Championships.
McStay and Cutler played alongside each other with VIC Metro – as did Gardiner and Taylor with VIC Country – while Aish and Robertson were opponents with South Australia and Western Australia respectively.
In addition, Aish, Gardiner, Taylor, Cutler and Robertson were part of the AIS-AFL Academy squad that toured Europe earlier this year.
The quintet would therefore have also had some interaction with the Club’s new Head of Coaching and Development, Peter Schwab, whose previous role at the AFL included overseeing the curriculum and coaching in the Academies.
Aish also played alongside the Lions’ reigning Rookie of the Year Sam Mayes at last year’s U18 Championships, and said he was thrilled to reunite with his fellow Croweater.
“We got along pretty well,” Aish told lions.com.au.
“He sent me a few messages throughout the year and we had a bit of a chat. He's already gotten onto me since he found out (I was drafted). He's pretty happy and it will be good to get up there and see him.”
Aish will also be able to share stories from his Norwood days with other former ‘Redlegs’ at the Club including two-time Merrett-Murray Medal winner Joel Patfull and Hyundai Lions Academy Coach Scott Borlace.
Meanwhile, Gardiner and Taylor and can expect a warm welcome from a close-knit bunch of fellow Geelong Falcons alumni in Jonathan Brown, Brent Moloney and Matt Maguire.
