The ACL injury he sustained in a practice match for Geelong’s VFL side took place just weeks before the Covid-19 shutdowns. After being bed-ridden post-surgery, the decision was made – in the best interests of Cincotta’s rehabilitation – to move into a gym.
“Literally, I genuinely moved into a gym.”
Setting up a bed in a room at Power Fitness in Geelong West, Cincotta privately toiled away on his recovery. The owner of the gym was Nick Power, cousin of Carlton VFL Senior Coach Luke, with conversations naturally turning to what the future would hold for Cincotta.
“Nick and I always used to joke about how I’d end up at Carlton. I hadn’t even met Luke before, I hadn’t met anyone from Carlton yet and I was still playing VFL at the Cats at the time. We used to joke that I’d end up at the Blues one day — and here we are,” Cincotta told Carlton Media this week.
“It’s funny how things work.”
Cincotta needed a lucky break. And as luck would have it, he ultimately did find himself at Carlton, linking up with his former coach Daniel O’Keefe in his first season at the Carlton Reserves.
Power would ultimately succeed O’Keefe in the role, and he soon became a key sounding board for Cincotta as his own football journey started to rapidly progress. In Power, Cincotta found himself a close confidant both on and off the field.
“I’m probably closest with him at the footy club,” he said.
“He’s nurtured and helped me to get to where I am today, and even last year, he was massive for me. He’s an amazing person — with Luke, I don’t think people realise that I’ve probably learned more from him away from football than I have inside the four walls.
“The door is always open with him. He’s been a father figure or a big brother to me at the footy club, he’s always someone I can go to.”
Father figure? Or big brother? Which is it?
“He’s both! We have those serious conversations and then there are times where he’s ripping into me.”
Few could’ve expected Cincotta to make the impact that he did in season 2023, his first at the elite level. He wasn’t even on a list as late as February, but he ended the year with 19 games (including three finals) and now finds himself toiling away in his first AFL pre-season.
While 2023 was a positive one, he knows he’s got to keep moving. In Michael Voss’ words, footy moves quickly, and the game will leave you behind if you don’t leave anything to chance.
Cincotta doesn’t have to look far for inspiration, and to understand that the work doesn’t stop for anybody.
“You can’t shy away from it. I always speak to ’Saady’ about it, because he trains and plays like his spot is always on the line. That’s his mentality going into each week and each session.
“He’s been great for me. I loved playing with him, I played most of my 19 games with him: he’s been around a lot longer than me, and he always says if I ever need anything, just to give him a call. We sit next to each other in all the line meetings.
“He says to me to keep bringing my weapons, keep being tough and keep having that dog in me . . . that’s what he says! He loves it, ’Saady’.”
Despite those 19 games that he did play, Cincotta is well aware of an impending selection squeeze at the Blues.
And that’s something to be celebrated.
“We’re in a competitive environment. There’s always going to be that edge at football clubs and in pre-season — where we can improve is within ourselves.
“If we keep getting after it, keep getting better, then it’s going to be very tight for spots. And that’s going to be better for the whole footy club.
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