Chasing The Dream: Watch the behind-the-scenes AFL Draft docuseries now
The AFL Draft journey is an emotional rollercoaster – not just for the kids, but for the entire family. For the first time, go behind the scenes and get the real story on Chasing The Dream.
A fight breaks out in a Burleigh Heads backyard as another family footy match ends in tears.
At the mercy of the eldest of four brothers, it’s all too much for the youngest, who’s forced off the field into dad’s arms, crying.
“What are you going to do? You either stop playing, or you get better and try to match him,” the father says.
“Get bigger, get stronger, get better.”
So, that’s exactly what he did.
Years later, many AFL clubs think there is no better draft-eligible junior footballer in the country than that little brother.
And Zeke Uwland could be about to do exactly what his dad said that day – match big brother Bodhi and join him at the Gold Coast Suns.
But the Uwland brothers have shared similar setbacks, too.
And not just in footy.
As CODE Sports’ behind-the-scenes AFL Draft documentary Chasing The Dream proves, the journey to the draft is an emotional one for the whole family.
WATCH EVERY EPISODE OF CHASING THE DREAM HERE
Above everything else, it’s the journey of growing up – with decisions to make and challenges to face.
In Woodend, Victoria, another budding athlete was forced to confront a similar question to the one Mark Uwland posed more than 1600km away.
But for Cooper Duff-Tytler there became a time when he knew he had to stop playing.
A decision that took his parents – and maybe some American college scouts – by surprise.
For Coralie and Darren LeRay in South Australia, however, they expected it.
The juggling act that son Matthew had been performing was always going to end one way.
Will the sacrifice be worth it?
“Until we hear his name, nothing is set in stone,” an honest Coralie says in episode one.
“Fingers crossed the next couple of months are good and he does get to chase that opportunity and that dream.”
Three futures. One Goal.
CHASING THE DREAM – A THREE-PART DOCUSERIES
From childhood sport and teenage challenges to life-changing decisions and overwhelming emotion, Chasing The Dream brings you the real draft story for the first time.
Over three episodes, culminating in what is sure to be a dramatic draft night finale, follow the story of three young footballers – Cooper Duff-Tytler, Zeke Uwland and Matthew LeRay – on a quest to make the elite level.
Who will make it? Will all the sacrifice be worth it?
EPISODE 1
OUT NOW – WATCH IT HERE
Burleigh Heads to Woodend and Golden Grove, the AFL dream of three young kids started in different parts of the country. And, while they all have the same goal, the journey getting there has been very different. Find out where it all started in episode one.
EPISODE 2
OUT NOW – WATCH IT HERE
Will Zeke’s draft-year heartbreak end? Is Essendon about to go after the young gun who was almost theirs to begin with? Big questions are answered in episode two – off the field, on the field and behind the scenes at the national draft combine.
EPISODE 3
OUT NOW – WATCH IT HERE
It’s going to all come down to a dramatic draft night finale. Will dreams finally come true? This is the AFL Draft like you’ve never seen it before.
Originally published as Chasing The Dream: Watch the behind-the-scenes AFL Draft docuseries now
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