COREY ENRIGHT TO BRING UP TON WITH CATS
Ben Jensen 23 August 2006

By Ben Jensen COREY ENRIGHT will play his 100th game for the Geelong Football Club against Melbourne at Skilled Stadium this Saturday. While he's had his share of injuries and periods of indifferent form with the Cats, he is now a permanent fixture in the side, playing every game this season and kicking nine goals along the way.

'Boris' originally hails from Kimba on South Australia's Eyre Peninsula, two hours from Port Lincoln. He played a handful of games for Port Adelaide's under 19 side before being drafted with pick 47 in the 1999 National Draft. What makes it even better is that this pick was obtained from the Kangaroos in the Leigh Colbert deal.

Enright, twenty-five next month, certainly has had his share of hard knocks. In 2002, his second season, he injured shoulder against the Kangaroos in round three while laying a tackle. He was later counseled in better tackling techniques, but continued to suffer arm and should related injuries.

Season 2004 was the breakthrough season for the Cats, however for Corey, then 22, it was his worst season to date injury wise. After playing all 22 games in 2003, Enright was ready to help his team join the AFL's elite. Instead he played just nine games, two of them finals.

Enright broke his wrist arm while playing the Sydney Swans in round 3 2004. He returned six weeks later but injured a shoulder in round 12 against the Kangaroos. After a spell on the sidelines and a game or two in the VFL, he returned to play the Saints in round 18. But he would only manage a single handball before suffering a broken jaw.

Fortunately Enright managed to return, playing a bit part in Geelong's semi final win against Essendon at the MCG, and the narrow loss to the Brisbane Lions in the preliminary final, at the MCG a week later.

Round 12 2005, Enright suffered a knee injury - a torn medial ligament. He nearly had a stranglehold on the club best and fairest at the time, an award eventually won by the club's other Corey - Joel.

Similarly to the season prior, a few weeks after returning he promptly suffered another injury, this time a broken collarbone. Also similiar to 2004, at the time it was thought Enright's season was over, but he eventually returned for the ill fated semi final against Sydney at the SCG.

In season 2006 Enright's been perfectly fit, playing all 20 games. Averaging more than 20 disposals per game Enright is again likely to poll well in the club best and fairest.

As well as improving his resilience, Enright has had to improved his skills. Almost gone now is the trademark 'helicopter' kicks that he frequently sent up the ground. Now Enright is even entrusted with kick out duties when required.

Enright has played most of his football in recent years in the backline, but at heart is a midfielder. Of course, in the modern game just about every player's a midfielder, to the game's detriment at times. This season he's started on the ground in each game, usually on a wing or half back.

Tutored early in his career by former Geelong backline stalwart Brenton Sanderson and current full back Matthew Scarlett certainly helped improve his defensive skills, as well as turning defence into attack in the twinkling of the eye. "I've learnt from playing with those guys, the way they go about their footy and how they approach the game. It took a while to squeeze into the backline though, they are very tight as a group", Enright told the Geelong advertiser in 2003.

At Port Magpies, Enright played in the same team as former Geelong defender Daniel Foster. Foster was taken at pick 23 (Geelong's fourth pick) while Enright sat out until Geelong pounced with pick 47. Of course, Foster's now gone while Enright seems set to stay for many years to come, following this his seventh season with the Cats.

“I love it here. Geelong has been really good as a club and the community has welcomed me in. Initially it was tough obviously, moving away from home and it took a while to settle in, but now I love it – it’s great,” Enright said in 2002.

“I’m a bit of a loyal man and I’d like to play at one club for my career – if all goes to plan. But who knows in footy these days, but I’d like to stay here. The guys are pretty keen this year and we got back earlier than most and winning the VFL flag has been a pretty good experience and we’re all pretty keen to go on from here.”

While the club has stuck by him Enright has certainly improved his footy and is certainly a 'must keep' player for the Cats.