AFL Draft 2023: Tasmanian bolter Arie Schoenmaker on turning fortunes around after 10-week ban

Arie Schoenmaker was left embarrassed and with draft chances in tatters after a ‘dumb’ mistake at training camp. But he’s managed to turn it all around, here’s how.

Arie Schoenmaker completes the 20m sprint at the state combine. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Arie Schoenmaker knows he stuffed up big time.

Coming off a promising bottom-age season that culminated in playing in the U17 Futures match on grand final day, Schoenmaker vanished off the face of the earth in the first half of his draft year.

The talented Tasmanian had been hit with a 10-week suspension from the Tasmania Devils for an indiscretion involving alcohol with a group of his teammates at a training camp, leaving his draft chances in tatters.

It was a massive wake-up call for Schoenmaker. The “dumb”, immature mistake put serious question marks over his professionalism and how much he wanted this opportunity that kids across the country dream of.

Arie Schoenmaker was suspended for 10 weeks for an incident at training camp. Picture: Getty Images

“It was a bit embarrassing coming back (to the Devils program) after doing that. I had so many good things going for me and I kind of ruined them. Obviously word gets around and then it is just embarrassing,” Schoenmaker said.

“Put a bit of a mark on the program as well which is what I look at. It wasn’t just myself as a person but also ‘what are the Tassie Devils about’.

“I just put it down to being young and immature and making a mistake. I look back at it and go ‘it was so dumb’ but in the moment it’s that split decision.

“I made the wrong decision within that split time frame and it’s uncontrollable now, I can’t control what happened.”

Schoenmaker knew he had to work twice as hard to put himself back into the draft frame and win back the respect of his teammates, coaches and AFL clubs.

“I think obviously there were some question marks over professionalism and the standards that I had. My mum was massive on coming up with a list of values that I wanted to instil in myself and I did those and I look at them every day,” Schoenmaker said.

“It made me look at how hard I wanted it, so I had to work a lot harder.”

THE ROAD BACK

Schoenmaker owned the mistake and immediately got to work.

Unable to play for the Tasmania Devils, Schoenmaker instead took the field for Launceston in the Tasmania State League, where he gained valuable experience against senior bodies.

He kept in close contact with the other banned players and did sessions with them as they moved to “change the narrative”.

Schoenmaker chases the footy for Launceston in the TSL. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

After copping his whack, Schoenmaker came back with a bang in the Coates Talent League.

Schoenmaker registered a whopping 36 disposals, 19 rebound 50s, nine intercepts and 237 SuperCoach ranking points in his return game for the Devils.

It took Schoenmaker just three games at Talent League level to be jettisoned into the talent-stacked Allies side at the national championships in July where he wowed onlookers yet again.

He was filled with nerves before that match against Vic Metro but Allies coach and former Essendon star Mark McVeigh encouraged him to play with the freedom that saw him burst onto the draft radar in the first place.

Schoenmaker did just that, launching a long bomb goal off a couple of steps from outside 50 inside the first 10 minutes and then slotting another fantastic goal on the run from the boundary in the third term, finishing with 20 disposals, 10 marks and two goals.

Schoenmaker turned heads against Vic Metro in his first game for the Allies. Picture: Getty Images

“I was really nervous coming into that game but ‘Spike’ (McVeigh) pretty much gave me the lenience I suppose and the confidence to do what I do. And I think the team around me also allowed that as well which is a credit to those boys,” he said.

It was an emphatic performance that showed off his rare gifts – there aren’t too many 194cm defenders who can kick the ball 60m and roam up and down the ground like a wingman.

Schoenmaker’s strong form continued for the Devils in their finals run – including two more stunning goals on the run from beyond the arc – to elevate himself into the second-round mix.

ARIE’S TRANSFORMATION

Fast forward to grand final day this year and the superboot was competing in Fox Footy’s longest kick competition on the Yarra.

It’s a far cry from the dark times he experienced with his draft chances up in the air, and epitomised his dramatic transformation since his mistake.

We’ve seen what his left leg can do on the footy field - now Arie Schoenmaker takes on the Yarra 🤜🤛

Best of luck to the Devils superboot tomorrow as he takes part in the @FOXFOOTY Longest Kick! Tune in from 11:30 AM to watch him face off against some of the stars of the AFL. pic.twitter.com/ngXTzEnzUV

— Tasmania Devils (@TasmaniaDevils_) September 29, 2023

As it stands, Schoenmaker has spoken to almost every club ahead of the draft and, understandably, he has been grilled about the incident earlier in the year.

While he fully acknowledges his error, the youngster views it as a steep learning curve that has allowed him to become a better person, player and leader.

His bond with the other teammates involved in the indiscretion is even stronger, and several of them managed to return to the Devils after their bans ended.

Schoenmaker has a booming kick. Picture: Graham Denholm/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“Every club I’ve spoken to they always ask about it but big thing is, for me, turning what was a negative into a positive,” Schoenmaker said.

“I’ve learned so much about myself as a person stuff about values, stuff about my teammates, my coaches and also my family.

“I’m really proud of myself and the steps I’ve taken forward from the incident. It’s put me in better stead to become a better person and I’ve still got the same connections I had before the incident but they’re even better now.

“It was pretty sad times, looking at the draft chances and they were slipping and you know I’ve made a mistake but it’s about how you come back.”

Schoenmaker owes his parents and coaches at Tasmania Devils, led by talent manager and former Tiger Jeromey Webberley, plenty of thanks for sticking with him and helping him turn his fortunes around.

“My mum and dad have been huge. And also from the coaches as well, they helped me a lot. They gave me my whack but they’ve also helped me come back and become a better person so Jez, Nathan Warren as well,” he said.

Originally published as AFL Draft 2023: Tasmanian bolter Arie Schoenmaker on turning fortunes around after 10-week ban