Saints create a Storm

Geary and Milne took the Storm’s juniors for training, watched the senior side train and were the special guests for a footy panel.  

With the Saints having the bye this weekend, Geary, a former Bendigo Pioneers club champion, said he jumped at the opportunity to return to his hometown.

“I get back to Bendigo a little bit, but not as much as I’d like,’’ Geary said.

“I played junior footy with Eaglehawk, so I’m in unfamiliar territory. 

“My brothers (Shannon and Daniel) play with Strathfieldsaye and Milney has a great relationship with (Storm senior coach) Darryl Wilson, so it’s good to get up here and help out the club.

“It’s great to see so many kids out here training.”

Geary, who is 25 next week, is enjoying a career-best season with the Saints.

After making his name as a defender, Geary has spent more time in the midfield this season.

He earned rave reviews for his run-with role on Marc Murphy in the Saints upset win over Carlton in round seven.

“My last couple of weeks have been a bit quieter, but before that I was happy to be playing my role,’’ Geary said.

“It’s been a good challenge this year to move up into the midfield and try and take care of some of the opposition’s best midfielders.

“I’ve played down back most of my career, so it’s nice to have a new role.”

After being an emergency for the Ross Lyon-coached 2009 and  2010 grand final sides, Geary has flourished under new coach Scott Watters.

“I’ve still got some improvement left in me,’’ he said. “I’ve played 80-odd games now and they say that your best footy is that patch after you get to about 100 games.

“I’d like to become a bit more consistent.”

Consistency has been St Kilda’s downfall this season. The Saints are struggling with a 2-9 record.

“There’s been some games where we’ve played really well,’’ Geary said.

“The games we’ve done well in contested ball like Carlton, Collingwood and West Coast at the weekend, we’ve played some good footy and been competitive.

“But other games the effort hasn’t been there and a couple of teams have got a hold of us. We’ve got such a young group and we’ve got to strive to be consistent in our contested footy.”

Off the field, Geary is preparing for life after footy by studying a commerce degree.

“The bye has come at a good time because I’ve got an exam on Monday,’’ Geary said.

“I’m back in Bendigo for a day or so and then I’ll be back in Melbourne to hit the books hard.

“This is my seventh year, so I’ve got to plan for life after footy.

“My footy career has gone quick. The average career is three-and-a-half years, so I’ve been pretty lucky.”

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