Strathmore under-19s to the big time: The remarkable rise of Chris Scerri via Preston Bullants
He’s gone from local footy to having two AFL clubs chasing him to be a train-on player. And Chris Scerri’s stunning rise to the cusp of an AFL career all started with one phone call.
Chris Scerri wonders where he would be without that phone call from Rocky Iannello.
Probably still at his local club, Strathmore, playing with the Under 19s or the seniors.
Probably still trying to figure out a path to higher football.
Probably still hoping someone outside Strathmore or his school would recognise his ability and make a call.
Twelve months ago, Rocky Iannello did pick up the phone, inviting Scerri to preseason training with VFL club Northern Bullants.
In more ways than one, it was a big call: Scerri had played no higher than Under-19s for Strathmore and school football for St Bernards.
Bullants assistant and experienced local coach Iannello had watched him at the school, noted his pace, his skill and his competitiveness, and thought he could come through quickly.
His judgement was sound. The 177cm right-footer made the Bullants list, played all 18 games this year and was crowned best first-year player.
Now the 19-year-old is at Fremantle, training with the AFL club as an SSP aspirant.
Scerri arrived in Perth on Monday and trained on Wednesday as events unfolded with the sort of speed he shows on the field.
“It happened really quickly,’’ Scerri said, explaining how Freo offered him the SSP trial last Friday.
Richmond – where he signed as a VFL player after the Bullants were unceremoniously booted out of the state league - had done the same hours earlier.
He had to make a decision in 24 hours. The young man opted to go west.
“I just thought I’d give it a crack at Freo … I was hopefully in good hands wherever I went,’’ Scerri said.
Chris Scerri! How good!!
— VFL / VFLW (@VFL) July 27, 2025
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He’s moved in with Dockers assistant coach Sam Naismith and coming to terms with a new city.
Fremantle had approached Scerri late in the season and a few weeks later organised a medical and physical testing for him at Maribyrnong Sports Academy.
Other hopefuls attended the session but the Dockers were most taken by a player who did not come through the established pathway, the Talent League.
Scerri was briefly involved with the Calder Cannons’ Under 16 program, but not the Under 18s.
He said it was a setback that motivated him to get better.
“I just put my head down,’’ he said.
Former Essendon star Steve Alessio coached the St Bernard’s school team and Scerri to the best-and-fairest last year.
Alessio saw a “super determined’’ player who “was never going to get beaten in the contest’’.
“I think he was determined to show what he could do after missing out on Coates Talent League selection,’’ he said.
Christopher Scerri gets the @NBullantsFC up and about early!
— VFL / VFLW (@VFL) April 24, 2025
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“He used every opportunity to do that, at local level, at school level.
“His determination has really shone out. In terms of his competitiveness and willingness, if there’s ever someone who’s going to grab the opportunity to make it, it’s Chris. He doesn’t take a backward step. Never has. He knocks down every barrier in his way. The knockbacks have made him more determined to go all the way.’’
At the Bullants this year Scerri averaged 12.4 disposals and 3.8 tackles for a team that won two games.
The Ants were quick to see that Iannello had brought in a player of exceptional promise. Early in the preseason general manager Darren Bassett mentioned “this young kid from Strathmore who can really run’’ and not long after coach Rohan Welsh talked about “a kid Rocky’s brought in from local’’.
By September, the Bullants were nominating him for the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal.
One recruiter who watched the bouncy Bullant said his scope for improvement was “enormous’’.
He said it was almost unheard of for a player to jump straight from under-age local football to the VFL.
Asked if he had been surprised by his rise, Scerri said: “Well, a little bit. But I thought was capable of being at that level. I needed time to adjust and take in the little things that can make you an impactful player.’’
Christopher Scerri puts @NBullantsFC in front!
— VFL / VFLW (@VFL) July 5, 2025
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Was Iannello surprised? Not really.
He said Scerri was among the most competitive players he had coached in his many years in the game.
“Just wants to compete. That’s his big asset,’’ he said.
“That’s what will get him there. He’s not the most skilful or the most decorated or the most talented. But he’s just a competitor. You can’t teach that. It’s got to be in you.’’
Scerri played as a small forward for the Ants but Iannello is adamant he’ll develop into a ball-winning midfielder.
Scerri finished season by winning the best-afield medal for the Strathmore senior team in its premiership win over Mick McGuane’s Keilor in the Essendon District league.
He was still eligible to play for the club’s “unders’’.
Scerri said he was grateful to the Dockers for taking him on and would “give them everything I’ve got … 100 percent … regardless of the outcome I know I’ll be a better player.’’
He’s appreciative, too, for that phone call from Rocky Iannello.
“He’s been awesome to me,’’ Scerri said.
“He still reaches out. For that Freo testing I did some one-on-one stuff with him. One of the high performance coaches at the Bullants (Damon Bednarski) helped me too. I was lucky to be with the Bullants.’’
Originally published as Strathmore under-19s to the big time: The remarkable rise of Chris Scerri via Preston Bullants
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