Richmond recruit Jake Aarts ready to take AFL chance after six years in the VFL

After six seasons chipping away at VFL level, Richmond recruit Jake Aarts has happily traded in his job as a carpenter for a crack at playing AFL football next year.

Jake Aarts in action for Richmond’s VFL team. Picture: David Crosling

It is tools down for Richmond recruit Jake Aarts, who has happily traded in his job as a carpenter for a crack at playing AFL football next year.

After six seasons chipping away at VFL level — the past four with the Tigers — Aarts was selected in last week’s rookie draft in a heartwarming tale of persistence.

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The small forward, who turned 24 earlier this month, admitted he had questioned what he was doing in the VFL more than once.

Long days on the job site with a nail bag around his waist were made even longer by evening VFL training sessions.

However, the pay-off eventually came and Aarts could not be happier to be now heading to Punt Rd as an AFL-listed player in a full-time capacity.

“To be honest I don’t know what kept me going,” Aarts said.

“There were times where I sort of questioned it. But I just kept wanting to do the best I could every year and putting one foot in front of the other and I just enjoyed playing at the club at VFL level.

“I don’t think a lot changed. I just go about my footy and my business the way I have every year. There wasn’t something that stood out to me. I think just consistency and hard work was something that I really pride myself on day in, day out with anything I do in life. So it’s probably one thing that got me through — hard work.”

Richmond's new recruits (from left): Fraser Turner, Luke English, Riley Collier-Dawkins, Jake Aarts and Jack Ross. Picture: Getty Images

Aarts has spent much of the past two seasons playing a defensive forward role for the Tigers’ VFL side and made 16 appearances this year, averaging 13 disposals, four tackles and more than one goal a game.

“I had a couple of calls mid-year that got my hopes up a little bit and sort of helped drive me to keep going and keep playing good footy,” Aarts said.

“Once the interest started to come I sort of thought, ‘Geez, something could happen here’.

“I came in for my first day (on Monday) and I’m saying G’Day to all the boys I already know so it’s different to Jack (Ross) and the other draftees.”

Richmond redrafted 2017 premiership player Jacob Townsend and developing tall Marbior Chol in the rookie draft, in addition to selecting four players in the national draft.

Originally published as Richmond recruit Jake Aarts ready to take AFL chance after six years in the VFL