Joel Patfull and Caleb Marchbank turned 30 and 18 respectively this week but it’s not just a shared birthday that binds them together.
Dual Brisbane Lions best and fairest winner Patfull draws several parallels between himself and his new teammate.
“Caleb’s just starting out so he’s pretty quiet around the club and I wasn’t any different in my first season,” Patfull said.
“We’ve both just joined the GIANTS so we’re getting to know everyone, what they’re like and how they play.
“As well as that, Caleb and myself are both key defenders so no doubt we’ll be spending a lot of time on the track together… I can’t wait to see him in action.”
Marchbank, of Benalla, was selected by the GIANTS with pick six at the 2014 NAB AFL Draft last month.
Looking to hone his craft, the mobile tall defender from the Murray Bushrangers said he intended to watch Patfull closely over the coming years.
“Joel is someone I really look up to and aspire to play like,” Marchbank said.
“He’s someone who can teach me a lot about playing in defence after being in the system for more than a decade.”
Birthday buddies Patfull and Marchbank will bond further during the GIANTS' pre-season camp on the Sunshine Coast next week.
Both players were surprised with a birthday cake during a team meeting at the Learning Life Centre on Monday.
