BRAD Walsh is just weeks away from finding out whether his AFL dream will become a reality.
The talented midfielder put his best foot forward at the recent Western Australian draft combine ahead of the November 27 draft date.
The 18-year-old recorded a 2.97-second time for the 20-metre sprint and equalled the sixth fastest time ever recorded at a draft combine in the agility test with a time of 7.88 seconds.
“I was thinking of it as a bit of a last opportunity to impress,” he said.
“I tried to keep the body fit in the break, at Peel I train two to three times a week and I was training about three to four times in the break.
“Agility was probably a weak point previously for me – endurance is usually a good point for me – but midway through the season I got a sprint coach which really helped.
“I think my time [at the combine] for agility was one of the best ever.”
Having captained WA in the under 18s carnival and the Australian Institute of Sport squad earlier in the year, the 180-centimetre midfielder said a lot of people say his leadership qualities and professionalism were his biggest strengths.
“I like to think my work rate and work ethic is my big strength,” he said.
Despite WA having a lean carnival with just one win Walsh remained positive about his hopes of finding his way onto an AFL list next year.
“You’ve always got to stay somewhat optimistic,” the Rockingham Rams product said.
“Even if I just get a one year rookie contact, I can just give it everything I have.
“Hopefully I will get picked, if I do it would be a dream come true.”
Walsh said he hadn’t thought about the draft too much in recent weeks as he was studying for his chiropractic exams at Murdoch University with his final exam last week.
“It’s actually been good having my exams; it gets your mind off it,” he said.
“I’ve been really busy so I haven’t able to see mates so they haven’t been asking if any club has contacted me or if I’m going to get drafted.”
Asked what his plans were for draft day Walsh said he was likely to just watch it with his family.
“I don’t have to confidence to watch it with a heap of mates,” he said.
“It will be a family thing.”
Walsh said all his family are the reason he has been able get as far as he has in football.
“We are a sporty family,” he said.
“My sister plays netball and all my brothers play footy.”
Walsh said he was particularly competitive with his 20-year-old brother Andrew.
“Whether it’s out the front playing basketball or kicking the footy out the front [we’re competitive],” he said.
“I’ve played the majority of my football with Andrew at the Rams.
“He’s born in December so could play down a year and I played up so we’ve played together since the 12 or 13 age group.”
Walsh will find out if his dream comes true on November 27 at the National Draft or at December 3’s Rookie Draft.
