AFL Draft 2023: Newtown & Chillwell talent Tom Anastasopoulos on lack of continuity in draft year

Tom Anastasopoulos’ year got off to a great start, but going back to school football hurt his progress. The Geelong product opens up on how he got back to his best.

Tom Anastasopoulos on his draft year. Picture: Getty Images

Tom Anastasopoulos started the year with a bang.

The endurance animal, known to his teammates as ‘Tommy A’, ran rings around his opponents in the opening month, bursting onto the AFL draft scene with 12 goals in his first four games for the Geelong Falcons.

However, Anastasopoulos had a hiccup after that strong start.

Attending Geelong College, Anastasopoulos had to play Associated Public Schools (APS) football when their season began and jump from playing school footy to Falcons throughout the year.

While he kicked six goals in his very first game of the year for Geelong College, he returned to the Falcons during the school holidays and found it difficult to adjust to the extra speed and talent in the Coates Talent League.

Tom Anastasopoulos started the season strongly for the Geelong Falcons. Picture: Getty Images

“I thought early on it was a good start early on. The first four or five games and then go back to APS which is kind of a different ballgame, not as fast as the Coates League. So then I had to come back in that holiday break (to Falcons) and the first game wasn’t too good,” Anastasopoulos

“But with the ballgame it is a lot harder because you play against some boys (in APS) who aren’t as good in defence wise.

“You come back in the Coates League and they are bigger, stronger, faster so you’re going to have to adapt to that and then Vic Country as well. You probably have to be even better, some of the best defenders around Australia.”

The Newtown & Chillwell product still managed to be selected for Vic Country, but he was sent back to the Falcons after their first match after finishing with just four touches.

However, he was able work his way back into the Vic Country fold and peaked in his final game, kicking two goals and tallying 12 disposals and six tackles against Vic Metro in one of his best performances of the season.

“The first (championships game) wasn’t the best, probably a bit nerve-racking and that and then missed the WA one and played the last two which I thought I did a lot better.

“Coming into (the second game) I obviously looked back at the first game I thought I have to bring back my weapons – that is my pressure, running ability, taking on the game and stuff.

“It is always good to beat Metro obviously. So that was a good game to play in.

Anastasopoulos celebrates one of his two goals against Vic Metro. Picture: Getty Images

Anastasopoulos was able to show off those weapons again in the Falcons’ finals run, kicking eight goals straight in his last four matches.

It brought the sharpshooters’ tally to an accurate 21.2 for the season.

That finish to the season and his impressive 2km time trial at the Victorian combine, where he finished second with a time of 6:11, has seen more than a handful of clubs, including Geelong, show interest in the goalkicker.

“It was a bit hard but obviously got my way back into the start of the year’s form which was good,” Anastasopoulos said.

“My 2ker was probably one of my best ones (at the combine) wasn’t my overall PB but was still happy with it. I thought I tested pretty decent in the agility and 20m… but yeah it was a good day overall.”

Anastasopoulos was there watching the Towners knock off teammate and fellow draft chance Michael Rudd’s junior club St Mary’s in the under-18 GFL grand final.

He is eyeing a VFL spot if things don’t go his way this week, but he hasn’t ruled out being back in the red and black.

“Probably VFL I reckon, even if it is getting down to Werribee or Geelong or whoever it is. I think VFL is the backup plan but if that doesn’t go into shape just back at a GFL club I reckon.

“Back to Newtown I reckon, back at the home club which would be nice.”

Originally published as AFL Draft 2023: Newtown & Chillwell talent Tom Anastasopoulos on lack of continuity in draft year