Trainees make their mark in the AFL: Q & A with Andrew McPherson

This year might just be the biggest one yet for five talented AFL SportsReady trainees who were selected to play professional footy in the 2017 AFL draft.

Victorian trainees Lloyd Meek, pick 69 for the Fremantle Dockers, and Joel Garner, Pick 60 for Port Adelaide will both be bidding farewell to their homes in Melbourne to a start new life interstate. South Australian trainee Andrew McPherson will be staying right at home, being selected as pick 40 for the Adelaide Crows.

It doesn’t stop there, two of our superstar Queensland trainees were also recently selected to play in the AFL W League for the Brisbane Lions. Arianna Clarke was picked up at 15 and Kalinda was pick 31.

We caught up with Adelaide Crow’s new recruit Andrew Mcpherson to give us the low down on what it’s like to be a professional AFL player.

Firstly how did it feel when you found out you were drafted at pick 40 for the Crows?

I was watching the draft with my family on the night and we were all extremely excited when my name was called out. I could not have been happier to be drafted to such a great club in the Crows and the fact that I would be able to stay at home made it that extra bit better.

What did you do to celebrate?

It was a pretty low key night for me as far as celebrations, I just stayed at home with Mum, Dad, and my brother, Will. Once my name had been called out, there was a flurry of texts and calls and a million things to do so there wasn’t too much time for festivities.

How long have you played footy for?

I have pretty much played footy my whole life. I think my parents had a footy in my hands before I could walk and I’ve always loved the game. I came up through Auskick, club and school footy when I was younger before I started playing some higher level football.

Has playing AFL Football at a professional level always been your dream?

Football has always been a big part of my life and being drafted into the AFL has been my biggest dream for as long as I can remember so having that dream realised is something special. It’s now up to me to take this opportunity as far as I can.

Andrew completed an AFL SportsReady traineeship in 2015 with the Woodville West Torrens Football Club and completed a Certificate in Sport and Recreation.

Tell me a bit about your traineeship with us…

I was able to complete the AFL SportsReady traineeship a few years ago now and it was a very enjoyable experience where I was able to mingle with some similar footballers my age and engage in some activities that I wouldn’t have otherwise had the opportunity to do. Outside of the clinics, I helped out with coaching with some of the younger boys at my local club and was able to get some experience working with kids. It was a great program and I was able to learn some skills that I still implement in my life.

 Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time?

In 5 years’ time I would love to still be playing at the Adelaide Football Club and hopefully play some AFL games. I would like to be a leader wherever I am and in whatever I’m doing. Outside of footy I’d like to be knocking over the Sports and Mechanical Engineering university course that I’m currently doing and building a life for myself post football. I’m excited for the years ahead and can’t wait to see what they might hold.

To find out more about the diverse range of rewarding careers available through vocational education and training, and watch the real skills for real careers video, visit www.myskills.gov.au

#realskillsforrealcareers

 

AUTHOR: Marissa Pagliarello

DATE: 2nd February 2018

IMAGE: Andrew McPherson