Josh Glenn puts an end to the Paul Marschall ‘curse’ at Central District

CENTRAL District Football Club officials called it the Paul Marschall curse. Another Bulldogs defender opting against entering the AFL draft.

4-7-2014 - Central District footballer Josh Glenn chose not to nominate for the AFL draft last year despite being an almost certain selection. But this year he is hoping to get selected. - Picture Simon Cross

CENTRAL District Football Club officials called it the Paul Marschall curse.

Twelve months after Marschall chose not to nominate for the 2012 AFL draft, another smooth-moving, pinpoint-kicking Bulldogs defender who wore No. 34 and was considered a likely selection opted against it.

Last season Josh Glenn finished sixth in Central’s best-and-fairest award and won the SANFL’s Star Search Award for most outstanding emerging talent in his debut league campaign – 12 months after playing for division four amateur club Elizabeth. But in November, he defied his parents’ wishes and rejected the interest of several AFL clubs.

“People from Centrals call it the Paul Marschall curse,” Glenn, 20, says. “I obviously passed up the draft and Paul did as well ... and we both had the same number. Last year I was unsure, my parents wanted me to go in the draft and it was screwing with my head.

“I didn’t think I was ready.”

Glenn says he never intended to become another Marschall – someone who turned his back on an AFL career and quit the Bulldogs because he preferred working in his dad’s landscaping business to being a full-time footballer.

Playing at the elite level was Glenn’s dream, the timing just needed to be right.

Earlier this season, he decided he would enter this year’s draft.

“From division four football ... to a full year of league footy to going to play AFL is huge steps,” he said. “I thought I’d have another year of league footy and see how I’d go.

“It kind of hurt watching (SA players) go to clubs making a career for themselves and I was sitting at home doing nothing.

“I always wanted to make it.

“When I was a kid, I always used to say ‘I want to play AFL one day’.”

Glenn also elected to switch numbers – from 34 to one – to dissociate himself from Marschall.

Marschall returned to SANFL ranks for a lone game in April this year – as an Adelaide Crows top-up player.

“A lot of people were saying it was the curse of the number ... and it was getting to me.

“That’s why I’ve changed my number this year. It gives me more confidence because no one’s talking about it.”

Glenn’s football was at a crossroads in 2012 when he was playing for Elizabeth after falling out with Central’s under-18s coach a few games into the season.

It was not long before his team-mates told him he was too good for the level and he should return to the Bulldogs.

Later that year, Central’s reserves coach Jeff Brown invited him to pre-season training.

“I was keen to have another crack.”

Glenn says his form is better this season after moving into the midfield, becoming “more of a leader” at the club and adding 4kg of muscle over summer.

His short-term goal is to help the Bulldogs reach for the finals for the 15th straight year.

He says opting not to enter last year’s drafts has been “the best thing for me and my football”.

“I’ve matured a bit more, I’ve played another full year and I’m a bit more experienced,” he said.

“Hopefully my name gets called out this year.

“It’d be the best feeling ever.”