Geelong are hoping that lightning strikes twice with their recruitment of 29-year-old North Ballarat ruckman Orren Stephenson at pick 78 in Thursday's AFL national draft.
Two Novembers back, the Cats took a chance on a player of similar vintage, James Podsiadly, who, like Stephenson, had been talked about but overlooked to the point where most assumed he'd missed the boat.
It proved to be an inspired choice and the club's recruiting manager Stephen Wells is hoping for similar results from Stephenson, a three-time VFL premiership player.
"It was a big decision obviously because he's 29," said Wells.
"He knew we were going to call his name out tonight because we feel we need him."
"We wanted to make sure that he was still keen and ready to go at his age, but he was, he jumped at the opportunity and we were pleased to give him that opportunity."
Wells said the club had kept an eye on Stephenson for several years but with senior ruckman Brad Ottens entrenched and with several youngsters on the books, there was no opening.
Now there is, following the retirements of Ottens and 2009 premiership ruckman Mark Blake.
"Orren knows that if Brad Ottens had kept playing, we probably wouldn't have drafted him," said Wells.
"But he's got his chance and we thought it was the right decision for the club."
"We feel he just complements the three young players we've already got."
Wells said that, like Podsiadly, Stephenson has what it takes to walk straight into senior football.
"He's had tremendous experience in the VFL and he hasn't had any serious injuries up to his 29th year and he plays against a lot of AFL-listed ruckmen every week," he said.
"Now he's got his opportunity to represent an AFL club."
Wells said the club was pleased to secure 194cm Claremont utility Joel Hamling with its first selection, No.32 overall, and two picks later, Shane Kersten, a 191cm forward from South Fremantle.
And the veteran recruiter wouldn't deny the Cats got a bargain in the form of Glenelg forward Jordan Murdoch at 48.
"We've had late draft picks for a while now and it's hard to get good quality tall players and we think (Hamling and Kersten) are a chance to have good AFL careers," he said.
"They've both represented W.A. and we love their talent."
"I'm not sure where people thought (Murdoch) was going to go but we were very happy to pick him where we did."
"He's a fast player, kicked a lot of goals, shifted to Glenelg from the country and worked his way up through the grades."
"He's done well."