MOST people, if they’re lucky, get to meet their sportinghero at a function or a book signing or maybe even after a sports event. Butfor Hawthorn’s Clinton Young, the first time he clapped his eyes on hissporting hero was on the football field.
It was round 16, 2005, and the then 19-year-old was makinghis AFL debut. His opponent was the player he had idolised, Glenn Archer.
“That was the most nervous I’ve ever been, to be honest,”Young confesses. “I was almost too nervous to play, I could barely concentrate.
“He really showed me where to get the ball. He got a lot oftouches that day and I ended up only getting a few, but it was a goodexperience. After the game I remember him shaking my hand and sayingcongratulations on my first game and best of luck, so he looked after me in theend.”
The versatile Hawk admits to spending his debut seasonbattling with nerves, but these days he’s a lot more comfortable on the field.
“I think I’ve relaxed and I’ve learned just to focus moreand concentrate on my game. I’m more confident now. I’m not as worried if Imake a mistake. I just get on to the next thing,” Young says.
But if Young’s on-field temperament has relaxed, the Hawks’expectations have intensified. The playing group’s reaction to theirloss to the Crows is confirmation of that.
“Last year when we lost, the enthusiasm was still there. Butthis year, because we’re winning more games, we’re more shattered anddisappointed when we lose, which is a good thing. The whole team’s standardshave gone up. We’ve played well against the good sides, and that’s why it wasso disappointing to lose to Adelaide.”
One thing Young always looks forward to, regardless of thematch result, is the after-match visit from his 14-year-old brother, Lachlan.
Lachlan, whohas Down's syndrome, is a popular figure around the club.
“He comes into the rooms after and he certainly livens upthe place. He’s always done that, even at my old country football club. It’sgreat to see blokes like Shane Crawford and Sam Mitchell, when he walks in theyall love him as well, so it’s a big thrill for Lachlan.I’m really proud seeing him enjoy that.”
For this reason the club supports two charities close toYoung’s heart: the Mallee AccommodationSupport Program (MASP), which helps disadvantaged, disabled and homelessyouth within the Mallee community, and theWimmera Parent Support Network, which supports families withdisabled children who live in rural and isolated areas.
“It’s great that we can pick the charities we support. Itmeans a lot to me that the club is behind it,” Young says.
The youthful Hawk seems to be immersed in the Hawthorn Football Club. He lives with teammate Matt Little, just around thecorner from Grant Birchall. “The majority of my friends are from the club,”Young says. “There’s a good atmosphere around the club with all the young guys.”
The 21-year-old reckons he is the real home-maker in thehousehold.
“We try and share the house duties, which we’re prettyreluctant to do. I think I’m better at it, though, because Matt goes home often,so I’m left keeping the house. He’ll be pretty shattered to hear that though,”Young says with a laugh.
Young says that, more than anything, he and his housemate – andindeed the wider playing group – want to play football in September this year.
“It would be amazing. I’ve never played in finals, but thenneither have players like Luke Hodge and Sam Mitchell, so it would be a new experiencefor the majority of our list. We’ve got a great opportunity to do it. We’re notthere yet, but if we keep on improving it’s possible.”
