Sturt’s Tye Bedford dreams of more than just weekends back at home
From Halls Creek to the cusp of the national stage, Tye Bedford’s rapid rise to the big stage is almost complete.
TYE Bedford’s trips home often include hunting goannas, kangaroos or turkeys, swimming in water holes and camping in the bush.
He hails from the remote WA community Halls Creek, which is in the East Kimberleys near the NT border and has a population of about 1200 people.
“Swimming, hunting, camping with family – they were the main things we did growing up,” Bedford, 18, says.
“We’d go to water holes and rivers out of town.
“With my uncles, we’d go hunting goannas, kangaroos and turkeys.
“It was something we’d do every weekend to get away from the town. When I go back home I still do that a bit.”
Four years after leaving Halls Creek to board at St Peter’s College, Bedford has emerged as an AFL draft prospect.
The 185cm, 78kg wingman joined Sturt only nine months ago after being recommended to the club by ex-player Shane Radbone – his coach last year at Unley Jets’ under-16s.
Bedford’s rapid rise has included three reserves and two state under-18 games.
Last month, he tested for recruiters at the state draft screening at Wayville, recording the second-quickest agility run (8.43secs) and third-best standing vertical jump (71cm).
“I didn’t think I’d get this far with everything – having a good year, talking with a few AFL clubs and being part of the under-18 state team.
“The state games were a lot faster than under-18s footy and school footy but it was a great experience.
“My first half of the year was really good but my second half of the year dropped off a bit.
“The footy load was getting to me – I’d never really played heaps of footy before at a high level.”
Bedford has boarded at St Peter’s since 2012 as part of the Yalari program, which offers education scholarships to indigenous youth from rural and remote communities.
“I’ve got used to being away from home.
“It (getting drafted) is something I’ve wanted to do all my life.”
