People often ask me how I have found it fitting into my first year at an AFL at the Western Bulldogs. Friends, family, even some of my teammates ask how I’ve settled in since I arrived here from Caloundra in the 2007 draft.
The answer is pretty simple. I’m really enjoying it here with the Bulldogs and learning more about my game and developing with Williamstown in the VFL. Sure, I miss my friends and family back home but that’s the sacrifice I had to make if I want to play the game at the highest level in the future.
There is one thing that I really do miss though and that’s the weather. Caloundra is on the Sunshine Coast and the weather there is a lot warmer than what it is here now. With it being the middle of winter, the mornings and nights are very cold.
I’ve heard a lot of people say the Melbourne can have four seasons of weather in one day and a few times this year it’s happened. Training with the Bulldogs during the week is fine, it’s usually in the middle of the day and it’s a bit easier to warm up. To make matters worse, every time I ring my Dad he says he’s walking around in shorts and T-Shirt!
At Williamstown on a Thursday night it can be a little different though. Some nights I will wear two jumpers at training just to keep warm. Although once training gets going you don’t worry about how cold it is.
There is one thing that I really do miss though and that’s the weather. Caloundra is on the Sunshine Coast and the weather there is a lot warmer than what it is here now. With it being the middle of winter, the mornings and nights are very cold.
I’ve heard a lot of people say the Melbourne can have four seasons of weather in one day and a few times this year it’s happened. Training with the Bulldogs during the week is fine, it’s usually in the middle of the day and it’s a bit easier to warm up. To make matters worse, every time I ring my Dad he says he’s walking around in shorts and T-Shirt!
At Williamstown on a Thursday night it can be a little different though. Some nights I will wear two jumpers at training just to keep warm. Although once training gets going you don’t worry about how cold it is.
After a few weeks on the sidelines with injury I’m finally starting to string together a few games in the seniors for Williamstown. I’ve played three games now and am working hard on consolidating my spot in the team. There is strong competition for spots which is a good thing and I think another reason why both the seniors and reserves are playing so well.
It’s also good to see fellow 2007 draftee Callan Ward playing in the senior Bulldogs team as it shows what hard work can achieve. What he has been able to do so far provides hope for all of the other rookies. I’ve got a long way to go before I start thinking about playing at the next level but at least it gives all of the rookies some hope that one day we can be part of the Bulldogs senior team.
It’s also good to see fellow 2007 draftee Callan Ward playing in the senior Bulldogs team as it shows what hard work can achieve. What he has been able to do so far provides hope for all of the other rookies. I’ve got a long way to go before I start thinking about playing at the next level but at least it gives all of the rookies some hope that one day we can be part of the Bulldogs senior team.
