Melbourne SSP signing Jack Henderson tells Jon Anderson about his long road to the AFL
From hangers for Geelong College to the VFL, Jack Henderson spent years banging on the doors on AFL clubs. And now he’s there, he plans to make the most of his opportunity at Melbourne.
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From a rice farm in the Southern Riverina, Jack Henderson is a poster boy for what character, persistence and ultimately performance can achieve in the AFL.
Henderson, 24, who was voted best afield in Werribee’s 2024 VFL Grand Fianl win, was this week added to Melbourne’s list via the Supplemental Seletion Period after being overlooked in eight straight drafts.
He speaks to Jon Anderson about his long road to the AFL.
JA:The last time we spoke was in December and it’s fair to say you were flat about your AFL dream.
JH: I was. My manager Winston Rous suggested I do extra work with a high performance person in Geelong. That helped me and then Dom Sheed at West Coast went down for the season, and then Shane McAdam got injured at Melbourne.
JA: How did it play out?
JH: I was at work (as an agronomist) two weeks ago when I got a call from West Coast and flew over a day later. It was such an experience. I trained all week and then played in the practice match against Richmond last Monday as a midfielder. Then I came off the field and shortly later spoke with Simon Goodwin.
JA: Which led to a tough decision?
JH: The hardest I have ever had to make. West Coast were brilliant to me but I would be lying if I said the lure of being in Victoria wasn’t strong. I want to settle as quickly as possible to play my best footy and Melbourne have had a lot of faith in me.
Straight from the recruitment room, Jack Henderson has been on the red + blue radar. 🎯 pic.twitter.com/L47KXgrtWv
— Melbourne Demons (@melbournefc) February 19, 2025
JA: Is midfield the aim with Melbourne, or high half forward with Alex Neal-Bullen gone?
JH: I trained and played in the midfield at. West Coast, whereas Melbourne it is probably high half forward.
JA: Explain the frustration at being overlooked in eight straight drafts?
JH: There were times last year when I thought there were guys going to AFL sides who I could match it with. It just kept that fire burning in me.
JA: Tell us about your journey Jack?
JH: I boarded at The Geelong College, finishing in 2017 and missed that year’s draft before joining Werribee. I only did testing with Fremantle that year but had no discussions with them so no real chance, and the same for the next two years.
JA: Then you travelled to the Double Blues in the SANFL?
JH: In the COVID year of 2020 I made the move to Sturt for nine games and got a bit of interest from GWS, but nothing major. In 2021 nothing, same in 2022-23, and last year it picked up a little after the Grand Final.
JA: When you actually had a medical with Melbourne?
JH: That’s when things started to get close but the Demons only had a few selections and I missed again. That wasn’t a great time but they kept in touch with me. And Werribee coaches as in Mark “Choco” Williams and Mick Barlow have been sensational for me.
JA: I can’t think of anyone who deserves their chance more than you Jack, so go get ‘em’?
JH: I won’t die wondering Ando, I can assure you of that.
Originally published as Melbourne SSP signing Jack Henderson tells Jon Anderson about his long road to the AFL
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