Being picked up as a father-son recruit often comes with extra expectation, but by his own admission Zaine Cordy isn’t fazed by much.
The son of former Bulldog Brian, and brother of senior ruckman Ayce, Cordy was picked up in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft at pick number 62, after being rated a potential top 30 pick prior to the draft.
Struck by a shoulder injury during the pre-season, Cordy didn’t get his chance until round five of the VFL senior season.
The defender played three games before fracturing his thumb in round seven and didn’t return until round 13, but has since shown great maturity and confidence taking up a key position post in the Footscray side.
“The body’s feeling pretty good, the thumb’s still a little bit sore but you get used to it.
“I’m really enjoying my footy at the moment and it’s just good to be playing again.”
Although having his start to AFL football interrupted, Cordy said he’s relishing the experience.
“It was pretty tough at the start, it took me a while to get used to it, the training loads, getting up early in the morning.
“But you get used to it, the body gets used to it, I’m really enjoying myself at the moment and it’s been good.”
Cordy was best on ground in Footscray’s round 15 loss to Coburg, collecting 17 disposals and six marks.
Despite only in his first year out of junior football, he looks a likely prospect coming out of Bulldogs’ defence.
“I think it’s just the blokes being around me, blokes like (Footscray captain) Jordan Russell, Joel Hamling came back this week, a few of those older blokes who pass their wisdom to me.
“So I’ve been trying to take a leaf out of their book and it’s going well so far.”
Cordy has been playing under the watchful eye of VFL coach Ashley Hansen, who says the young Dog has plenty of upside.
“Some of his decision with ball in hand, his competitiveness to attack the contest and spoil and he's missed a lot of footy with his shoulder and his hand
“He’s a natural footballer who’s going to keep getting better and better just by being in this environment every weekend.
“He’s playing on a variety of opponents which is important for his development and I think he is growing his game each week.”
