Nobody would have thought Clint would play every game so far in this, his debut year - none more so than Bartram himself. Yet this young boy from Geelong has defied all the odds, and has been an important part of the Demon midfield so far this season.
Clint has even surprised himself with the way things have panned out for him.
“It’s taken me completely by surprise, the way things have gone so far this year.”
“To get the call up in Round One to play against Carlton was just phenomenal…I remember Neale phoning me on the Thursday night and telling me I was in.
“I couldn’t really believe it, but at the same time I was very excited about playing my first game.”
At 73kgs, and 181cms, the boy who has been nicknamed ‘Trace’ by those around the club is far from a giant in the game. Yet this speedy midfielder has played on the likes of Andrew McLeod already this season – an experience which he describes as surreal.
“These are the sorts of guys that you grow up with as your heroes, the guys that you’ve always looked up to. Then to actually play against them, it was a great experience for me.”
Bartram is unlike many others his age. While most of his friends are still at school completing their VCE, Clint is juggling the rigours of being an AFL footballer with the demands of his final year of his schooling.
Being only 18 in February, Clint was still eligible to play another year with the Geelong Falcons in the under 18 competition. However, looking at the positives and negatives, he says he would much rather be in the position that he is today.
When asked if he would have preferred to spend another year in the Under 18 competition, Clint was quick to hit the nail on the head, insisting that he was very grateful to be given the opportunity to play at the elite level when he was still so young.
“I’m more than happy to be where I am today…the AFL has taught me a lot of things that I wouldn’t have learnt in the under 18s.
“Pre-season was definitely an eye opener. It’s much more physical and much different to anything I’d ever done before…It’s definitely helped me to develop a lot quicker.”
As a graduate of the AIS/AFL Academy, Bartram has a renowned work ethic and is known for his speed and his skilled handling of the football. Since being drafted at Number 53 in the national draft, he has continued to work hard and has done a great deal to ensure he holds his place in the team.
With 2006 looking very promising for the young Bartram, he says he aims to just play as well as he can, and whatever happens in the future, happens.
“I’ll be happy if I just play good, hard footy this year, and play as many senior games as I can,” he said.
