Can you tell us a bit about your background, the teams you played in at a junior level, and how you found your way onto the Bullants and Blues list?
I grew up in Donald and did all my schooling there. I joined the local footy team which is where I played my junior footy. I had a year in the seniors at Donald, and then played with the Bendigo Pioneers whilst I was completing year 12.
I finished year 12 in Bendigo, then started studying at Melbourne Uni and played with the University Blues Football Club. I had a successful 3 years there, had a pre-season at Essendon, and then thought I would give the VFL a crack. I knew Grant Williams (General Manager, Football Operations at Carlton) and tried out with the Bullants, and have had a couple years with the there before making the rookie list at Carlton.
Some said that you were too small a few years ago to be drafted, you’ve obviously bulked up a bit since then?
I’ve certainly tried to bulk up a bit, and that was one area of my game that needed a bit of attention. I did a pre season at Essendon in 2004, and they were happy with my footy but said need that I needed to put on a bit of size and work on my tackling.
I’ve always tried to eat the right foods and been careful about my diet, so it hasn’t been too much of an extra effort to try and add some size. I’ve been hitting the weights and I’m pretty disciplined about it.
You had planned a move to Perth for 2007 for your career. Was this an admission that you thought your chances at AFL level were over, or had the club given you an inkling that you still had a shot at making the list?
The club didn’t make any promises to me about being drafted, and I had just finished my degree and didn’t want to put all my eggs in one basket so I planned a graduate position in Perth. But I certainly hadn’t given up hope of playing AFL and worked my backside off before in the training before Christmas.
I had been applying for positions and was exploring other avenues in case my footy career didn’t work out. I did some research and set up a role in environmental engineering with a mining company, the industry is booming in Western Australia at the moment. I knew a footy club in Perth and was set to train with them but then my name got read out during the rookie draft!
You completed an Engineering/Science degree recently. How did you manage to fit your studies in with training requirements at the Bullants?
It wasn’t too bad actually, I kept everything under control with my studies at uni. Sometimes it was hectic and occasionally exams would clash with training, but it was usually fairly straight forward to manage. Mitch (Bullants coach Barry Mitchell) was supportive of my studies and gave me time off once or twice when I needed to spend a bit of extra time studying.
It really helped me focus my goals, I was flat out a lot of the time but I felt like I had a really good balance between my footy and uni. I never had much spare time then, I have a bit more now as I’m working one day a week at the moment. It’s a role in the environmental engineering industry and it balances well with training.
Mike and Dan note how proactive Young has been with his sporting and professional careers and resolve to improve their own time management skills… next week perhaps.
You were given a taste of AFL football in Round 1 of the NAB Cup. How did it feel running out onto the ground?
It was absolutely sensational! It really was an amazing feeling, I didn’t expect it at all but I was obviously more than happy to get a game. It was completely different to anything that I had experienced before, and just running out onto the the Dome was something I won’t forget.
My Mum and Dad and 3 brothers were there to see the game, and Dad was in the rooms beforehand soaking up the atmosphere. The whole family there so it was a pretty special day.
How do the Blues fans treat you at Family Days and Training sessions - do they come up and ask 'Can I have a signature? And by the way, who are you?'
*laughs* Yeah there are a few like that, but it was so pleasing to see such a crowd at the Carlton Family Day recently. There are always a few that know you from watching the Bullants play, but I just appreciate people who are taking the time to go out and support the club who come up and say hello.
Bullants watchers would know a bit about your game, but can you let the rest of us know about your playing style?
My strengths are kicking and running, and unlike a few left footers I actually use my right foot every now and then! I’m currently working hard at defensive aspects of my game such as tackling and shepherding and the one percenters. I’ve been working a lot with Brett Ratten and Libba (Tony Liberatore) at training, Libba being such a fantastic tackler is always helping me out in that area, and Ratts is telling me where to run, what to do and a giving me a few really good tips. Barry Mitchell has always been great too in passing on advice.
At first it was a little bit daunting working with these guys as they are all legends of the game. But they have all been fantastic, and they actually listen to what you have to say and what your thoughts are, and it really comes out in the advice they give. I’ve also learnt a lot from watching blokes like Stevens and Scotto (Heath Scotland) and the way they train and do their weights. I idolized guys like that when I was younger and its great to be able to train and get on the park with them.
How does it feel knowing that you will always be the subject of a trivia question: who was the first player chosen under the mature age rookie rule?
*laughs* I don’t think that will be a question, but it’s a good little thing to be the first!
Tell us about this Mature Aged Rookie caper. Do you go through the same induction process as the younger guys in terms of adapting to the AFL and general life skills?
Yeah the process is pretty similar to what it is with the first year players, and I’ve got to say that they are a great bunch of boys. There are a few things that I’ve already experienced, I’ve always had to pay my own bills, live out of home and pay rent, take care of utilities and insurance and keep a close eye on the bank balance, so you learn to be self sufficient. I don’t even have a manager, but its all going pretty well at the moment.
You grew up in Donald, can you tell us a bit about the town?
Its north west of Horsham, there’s about 1200 people there, and there’s not a great deal to do up there except play sport! There’s not much too it and as you would know its pretty dry up that way at the moment. Having said that there is a fantastic cookie factory up there which is worth a visit!
Mike and Dan will take Ross’s advice and seek funding from the club to do some extensive ‘research’ at the cookie factory.
Do you follow the same beauty regime as other rookies such as Michael Jamison and Sam Jacobs? Are there any teammates that you want to make any comments about?
*laughs* Its fair to say that no I don’t follow that kind of beauty regime! I’m currently living with Luke Blackwell, and I can tell you he always walks around minus his shirt and thinks he is massive!
Simon Wiggins is annoying and he thinks he’s really funny. Carazzo is also a bit of a character, but seriously all the boys have been fantastic and its great to be at the club.
Being on the rookie list, what are your goals for 2007?
I just hope to play consistent footy throughout the year. If I get a chance to get onto the senior list I hope to grab it, but I can’t rely on anything happening to one of the players for that opportunity to open up. I’ll be training a bit with both the Bullants and the Blues, and the training sessions early in the week will vary depending on whether the seniors play earlier or later than the Bullants on the weekend.
I’ve got to keep working at my footy so that at the end of the year, I can look back and say that I’ve given it a crack, tried my guts out and have no regrets about the way I performed during the year.
Ross Young’s ambitions this year are simple; he wants to play high quality football for the Bullants and state his case for permanent inclusion on the senior list at Carlton. Having been given a taste of AFL football in the NAB pre-season cup, Young is keen to continue his development and force his way into the team should the opportunity arise this year. With his disciplined approach to his football and the improvements that he has shown in his game, there is no reason to doubt that Young will make his chance count and play consistent senior football for Carlton in years to come.
