How Sturt’s Tom Emmett beat the odds to emerge as an AFL draft prospect

In an inspiring tale of courage, Tom Emmett may soon realise his footy dream – but it hasn’t been an easy path

Sturt footballer and AFL draft prospect Tom Emmett at Unley Oval in full Sturt playing gear, pictured 21st November, 2022. Tricia Watkinson

Four years ago, Tom Emmett was in the fight of his life. After months of feeling unwell, the then-teenager was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and underwent extensive treatment at the Michael Rice Centre for Haematology and Oncology at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

This week, the 20-year-old will be hoping to hear his name called at the AFL draft.

In a tale of courage, resilience, family love and mateship, Emmett – a powerful, 187cm Sturt forward who made his SANFL league debut this year – looms as one of the feel-good stories of this year’s draft.

After being invited to the AFL State Draft Combine and having serious interest from three clubs, Emmett said he had to pinch himself to realise how far he had come – and the challenges he has had to confront – in four rollercoaster years.

Turned away by his local SANFL club Sturt at under-16 level because, in his own words, he was “often injured and not very good’’, the one-time midfielder would soon undergo a life-changing health scare.

Continuing his football journey in year 11 with his school, Pembroke, Emmett went downhill during the 2018 season, feeling “very lethargic’’ and noticing some swollen lymph nodes on his neck.

“I remember very vividly walking up the grandstand stairs before a school match and feeling like I had just run a 2km time trial,’’ Emmett said. “I had blood tests to check for glandular fever but nothing came up.’’

Emmett underwent further medical testing and biopsies and within a week of the football season finishing he was diagnosed with a rare subtype of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma – a cancer that affects the lymphatic system.

The news, which came two months before his 17th birthday, hit him and his family like a sledgehammer.

“When I was diagnosed, it was the first recorded case of its type in the world,’’ Emmett said.

Sturt’s Tom Emmett (at back, sixth from right) with his Pembroke schoolmates after they shaved their heads to raise money for the Michael Rice Centre in support of his battle with cancer. Picture: Supplied.

“It made it harder to treat and was pretty stressful, particularly for Mum (Sallie) and Dad (Brian) because while I just put my head down and got on with things they felt helpless.

Emmett underwent chemotherapy, along with other treatment, over a six-month period at Michael Rice Centre, losing his hair in the process. He was overwhelmed with support from family and friends.

Sixty-seven schoolmates shaved their heads in support, raising more than $24,000 for the cancer centre.

“I was at school with a bald head and so were my mates, who really showed me what mateship was all about,’’ the popular Emmett said.

His treatment rolled into his year 12 studies before he was given the all clear.

“It was obviously a very stressful time for the family but I coped OK because I’d seen other people go through a lot worse,’’ Emmett said.

“There were young kids at the Michael Rice Centre who were so sick that the hospital was all they knew.’’

It was during his treatment that Emmett realised just how much football meant to him.

“That time changed my perspective on things,’’ he said. “It made me realise how much I liked playing footy and that I wanted to play at the highest level possible, so I decided to do something about it,’’ he said.

After resuming his football with Pembroke’s First XVIII and finishing the season strongly, Emmett sent an email to Sturt football manager Chris Trapp asking if he could attend pre-season training.

“You could sense Tom’s enthusiasm,’’ Trapp said. “It wasn’t a short email and detailed his story and desire to get back into the SANFL system.’’

Emmett – back at Sturt for the first time since playing under-14s for the club – made an immediate impression, standing out at training with his power, athleticism and competitiveness. He was on a mission and the Double Blues noticed – but he was to suffer another setback.

On a Christmas holiday with his mates, Emmett jumped a fence and didn’t quite clear it, severing his right Achilles tendon. The injury sidelined him for eight months and ruined his SANFL comeback.

But Emmett had come too far to give up on his dream. With Covid-19 delaying the start of the 2019 season, Emmett managed to return to play some under-18s football.

The following season, he forced his way into Sturt’s reserves side and was selected to play in the NAB All-Stars game, the first sign that he had been identified as having AFL attributes. But his run of bad luck continued.

North’s Alex Spina gets the ball away from Tom Emmett during a 2020 SANFL game between Sturt and North Adelaide at Unley Oval. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Emmett broke his right collarbone in a reserves trial in 2021 and was sidelined for 14 weeks. He missed round one this year after breaking his right hand in another trial game before emotionally being picked for his league debut in round 6 against Central District on Mother’s Day.

The clash at Unley Oval coincided with the 20-year reunion of the Double Blues’ 2002 premiership team and he had his No. 43 guernsey presented to him by premiership player and former Essendon chief executive Xavier Campbell.

“It was a special moment for the family, particularly being on that day,’’ part-time accountant Emmett said.

“Mum said that while she was thrilled to see me play league, the fact that I was so happy to be a part of that team is what delighted her the most.’’

Emmett had a modest six-disposal game in Sturt’s resounding 98-point win. But his debut was a triumph over adversity and set him on the path to possible AFL selection.

He retained his spot in the side for the rest of the season, playing 14 consecutive games and kicking 17 goals and catching the eye of AFL clubs with his size, inside-50 forward pressure and ability to score.

Sturt’s Tom Emmett Picture: Scott Starkey/SANFL

Sturt footballer and AFL draft prospect Tom Emmett at Unley Oval. Tricia Watkinson

“He is a competitive beast who thrives on the contest using his elite speed and power,’’ Trapp said of the former Payneham Norwood Union junior, who now tips the scales at 88kg.

As well as dealing with Tom’s battles with cancer and freak injuries, the Emmett family has also had to overcome the tragic death of Tom’s uncle, Robert Johnston, who died at 20 after breaking his neck in a football accident while playing for St Peter’s Old Collegians.

“I’m a relatively simple footballer who just tries to play with a competitive edge and make the most of every moment,’’ Emmett said.

“I just love playing footy, and being physical is one of my real strengths, so I try to base my game on that. I feel that, given my size, I can also play tall and small, take an overhead mark while also making an impact at ground level.’’

Emmett, a Crows supporter who turns 21 on November 30, is grateful just to be in the draft conversation.

“Hopefully, things work out because it would mean the world to me and my family (which includes sister Alice, 14) if I was drafted, given what we’ve been through together,’’ Emmett said.

“I know it’s not the be-all and end-all but it would be great for everyone who has supported me right through my journey.’’