As luck would have it I was drafted and I have now deferred my course to concentrate on my first year at Whitten Oval. Because I was so focused on my studies last year, people ask how I have adapted to concentrating solely on football. The first thing I tell them is that I’m doing something that I’ve always dreamt of doing. Then I remind them that football is more than just playing and training.
Of course much of the game is about physical exertion but there is also the mental side of things that stimulates the mind as well. As part of the development academy I’m constantly learning more about the game and how to improve my personal performance so that it will benefit the team. Development Manager Brad Gotch and Development Coach Simon Dalrymple continually challenge the younger players so that we keep improving. They also make sure we are not just focused on football.
There is also the AFL’s apprenticeship program. Two hours each week the development players learn more about issues outside of football that help as grow us individuals.
Last week we took part in a defensive driving course. I’ve always considered myself a safe driver but it made me think about other drivers as well. We were put into a few different scenarios, driving around witches hats at different speeds and seeing how going too fast effects your driving skills. I guess its lot like football, you have to make the right decisions otherwise you will have an accident. The course was great and something that I wouldn’t have thought of doing if I wasn’t at the Bulldogs.
My first season at the Bulldogs is going so fast. I might not be studying 30 hours a week like I thought I might be this time last year, but there is more to football than playing and training. I’m enjoying the challenge of being an elite athlete and trying to improve myself both on and off the field.
