How Tom Sparrow rose from unwanted to blue-chip AFL draft prospect
In the latest of his Year of the Croweater series, Andrew Capel looks at how South Adelaide’s Tom Sparrow rose from unwanted to blue-chip AFL draft prospect.
- Schoolyard to stardom: The AFL beckons for Lukosius and Rankine
- Power faces the tough trade questions
- Power academy player compared to Bulldogs’ flag star
“HARD work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard’’.
That is the famous quote from US high school basketball coach Tim Notke that is inspiring South Adelaide draft bolter Tom Sparrow’s insatiable appetite to prove his doubters wrong.
Shattered at missing out on State under-16 selection two years ago and by again being overlooked for last year’s under-17 SANFL futures game, the powerful midfielder is starting to reap the rewards for his manic work ethic by surging up AFL draft boards.
From the small Adelaide Hills town of Scott Creek, Sparrow’s standout second half of the season at school and SANFL under-18 level has seen him draw comparisons to explosive Brownlow Medallist Patrick Dangerfield and emerge as a first-round draft smoky.
“I was pretty devastated at missing that under-16 team because making that side was one of my main goals for the year,’’ Sparrow told The Advertiser.
“I was cut from it late and ended up being an emergency but I didn’t play, which was really challenging.
“It really motivated me to work even harder to prove to everyone that I am good and dedicated enough to keep pursuing my dream of playing footy at a high level.
“In a funny sort of way it has probably helped me moving forward, rather than hinder me.
“It made me try to prove a point that I wasn’t just going to go away or shy away from a challenge.
“I used my favourite quote, ‘hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard’, as inspiration to keep working hard.
“I did a lot of extras and I think the only official training sessions I have missed since were when I was on a school camp to Cambodia last year.’’
While SA’s top 2018 draft prospects Jack Lukosius, Izak Rankine and Connor Rozee starred in the under-16 championships two years ago to lead the Croweaters to the national crown, Sparrow was at home thinking what might have been.
He was pleased his home State “won the chockies’’ but immediately set his sights on training even harder and turning his strengths — speed and power — into assets that would help him stand out from the pack.
Now he is doing just that.
“He’s become an animal, an absolute ripper,’’ said SA under-18 coach Tony Bamford, who had no hesitation in selecting Sparrow, 182cm and 81kg, in his AFL under-18 championship-winning side this year.
“Tom’s got that rare combination that every club wants — speed, power and endurance.
“He’s the type of player who wins the ball on the inside but is so powerful he can get on the outside and really hurt the opposition there.
“He is very driven, motivated, diligent and professional. He’ll not only make it as a long-term AFL player but he’ll stand out in his first month of training because of his workrate and toughness.’’
Bamford said he remembers Sparrow, who this year captained Prince Alfred College’s First XVIII team, being “really, really flat’’ when he missed State under-16 selection in the team coached by dual North Adelaide premiership player and former Crow Darel Hart.
“I recall having a conversation with him and his parents and saying the only thing you can do from here is to prove the selectors wrong when you are 18,’’ Bamford said.
“He’s gone whack and done that.’’
While some recruiting scouts have compared Sparrow’s qualities to those of former Crow and current Cat Dangerfield, Bamford says he reminds him of Collingwood’s Levi Greenwood at the same age.
“I coached Levi at Port Adelaide (Magpies) and the similarities between the two are striking,’’ Bamford said.
“They are both tough, strong and combative, they look for body contact and are explosive speed and endurance athletes.
“But as well as Levi has done, Tom will be better.’’
Sparrow has heard the comparisons but says he is modelling his style on star Sydney midfielder Luke Parker.
“He's an inside mid who loves winning contested ball but can go forward and kick goals, which is what I like doing,’’ he said.
Sparrow, who was denied a SANFL league debut with the Panthers this year because of school commitments, has been interviewed by 14 AFL clubs.
And his phone has run hot with player managers wanting to sign him.
“To come from where I have, missing the under-16s and 17s (State teams), and to get drafted would mean a lot to me,’’ said Sparrow, who is an A-grade student eyeing an ATAR score of 90.
“I want to make all my friends and family proud and prove to them that I am good enough.
“I know they are already proud of me but to go one step further would be the cherry on top.’’
andrew.capel@news.com.au