Football
4 April, 2026
VFL debut leads to Bryan goal
A goal from his first kick. Cody Bryan joined a club of the elite on Saturday, booting his first kick in his opening match in the VFL straight through the big sticks.
It came after a brilliant mark just outside of the goal square just before half-time in the clash between Sandringham and Bryan's side, Werribee.
It was just a fortnight prior that the club announced Bryan's arrival at the Tigers.
A 200cm ruck, Bryan played for four and a half years with the Horsham Saints before being picked up by the Tigers.
His form in the Pelican Cup clash against the Demons last season caught the eyes of the recruiters Craig Young and Mark Stone, and earned him a trial with the Tigers ahead of this season.
Bryan, 22, said he had no hesitation in grabbing the mark but was a bit nervous about converting the goal.
"I had a few contests earlier where I was getting my hands to them, so I was confident about that one," Bryan said.
"And the great kick by Charlie Lazzaro to my advantage helped as well.
"I was a little nervous because it wasn't too far out, so I had to make sure I kicked a goal, but I was kicking them pretty well in the warm-ups, so I was pretty confident it would go through.
"It didn't come off the boot too well, but luckily it went through."
While he admits he was hoping to make an impact on the score, Bryan said he was pleasantly surprised his goal came from his first boot to footy.
While he was calm and collected, at least on the outside, slotting his first major, Bryan said the step up to the VFL has been completely different to what he has experienced in the Wimmera Football Netball League.
"Obviously, the level goes up with the energy, intensity, pace, and skills, so you have to put a lot of work in to be prepared and switched on a lot during the games," admitted Bryan.
"There is also a difference with the rules with the VFL playing to the new AFL rules, so we have to train to those as well, which is different to the Wimmera League."
While it's the goal ultimately for Bryan to play AFL, he said he still has a long way to go before that is an option, and he's pretty happy with life as it is at the moment.
"I'm very happy with playing a high level footy at the moment and also being able to play back home for Horsham Saints as well," he concluded.
Geelong and Werribee go head-to-head in Round Three of the VFL this Saturday.