At the National Draft Camp, Tenace - who lives and attended school in Shepparton - placed in the top 10 per cent for the 20 metre sprint. afl.com.au’s Matt Burgan has Tenace going to Essendon with pick No.6 in his phantom draft.
With the big day just two days away, Tenace spoke to Samantha Lane and will have another chat after the draft on Saturday.
Thursday, 20 November 2003
The anxiety levels aren’t rising yet, though I’d say tomorrow they will be. I went and played golf with a mate yesterday, so that helps.
I’ve just been reading the phantom draft on afl.com.au and I think the top five that’s been picked - Adam Cooney, Andrew Walker, Colin Sylvia, Farren Ray and Ryley Dunn - is about right. In my head that’s how I think it will be, but I’m not too sure what the recruiters think.
It doesn’t bother me one little bit. I couldn’t care if I went at number five or number 75. And I don’t think anyone really cares, as long as they get drafted.
There might be a bit of friendly competition between me and Ryley. He lives near me so I’ll go around and see him later, because he’s in front of me on the afl.com.au ranking. I’ll give him a bit about that. I wouldn’t have a clue who will go first out of us.
You have a look at the clubs’ order of selection. Fremantle has picks ten and 12 and West Coast has pick 11, which potentially sets me up for a move to Perth.
I suppose everyone thinks about what it would be like if you had to go interstate. At the moment it doesn’t worry me too much. I’d go anywhere to play AFL football. I’m going to have to pack up and leave Shepparton anyway, so that bit doesn’t worry me too much. It would just be further away for me if it’s Perth.
Mum would rather me stay in Victoria, but then again, she’ll be happy for me to go anywhere.
I don’t think it’ll be too bad moving, especially if I’m only going to Melbourne, then it’s only two hours down the road. That’s alright, and the clubs are pretty good. They help you find somewhere to live and you’re always going to be around the footy club and there’s 45 or 50 other blokes there.
There’s no real ideal scenario for me in terms of clubs. I’ve thought about it a bit, but I really just want to play footy. That’s my dream.
The family doesn’t talk to me much about it, if I’m getting a big head they’ll bring me down to earth, but no, it’s good because they don’t really focus on it too much. I’d say Mum will get a bit toey and a bit nervous on Saturday.
I’ll be watching from home, but it’s not live on any TV stations so I’ll be logging on to the live coverage on afl.com.au actually. I’ll be at home with my family, elder brother and younger sister and see my mates afterwards. Ryley’s not going either, I think for the same reasons as me, he’d rather just be with his family.
