South Adelaide pocket rocket Caleb Daniel is ready to prove the doubters wrong

CALEB Daniel has battled height issues all his life — but is determined to be a big hit in the AFL.

3/11/14 - South Adelaide footballer and AFL draft target Caleb Daniel at Noarlunga Downs today - photo Naomi Jellicoe

CALEB Daniel has battled height issues all his life.

At age six he was turned away from the Morphett Vale Football Club because he was considered too small to play in its under-8s team.

When he found a home at Edwardstown, his mum soon made him wear a helmet because “she was pretty nervous about my lack of height and the fact that opponents’ elbows kept hitting me in the head’’.

But while Daniel was physically roughed up, he was never deterred.

From the moment the pocket rocket moved to Adelaide from rugby league-dominated Queensland at age six, he decided he wanted to be an AFL player.

The helmet became a part of Daniel’s “kit’’ and he took the big hits that came his way and kept getting up off the canvas.

When he was selected in South Adelaide’s under-13 development squad at age 10, his destiny, he believes, was set.

“Playing AFL is all I’ve really dreamt about since I arrived in Adelaide,’’ said Daniel, 18.

“It’s something I’ve worked very hard for. I’ve always given it 100 per cent and while I know my height’s been an issue to some, hopefully there’s a club out there which is prepared to give me a chance.

“I can assure them that I’ll give everything I’ve got to try to make it.’’

Daniel, like he has always done, is battling the odds.

At just 167cm, he was the shortest player at the AFL Draft Combine by nearly 5cm.

The only AFL player listed in the AFL’s official season guide as being not taller than him is North Melbourne champion Brent Harvey, who also is 167cm.

“There’s nothing I can do about my height,’’ said Daniel, who not surprisingly lists Harvey as one of his role models, along with Hawthorn’s Sam Mitchell and Geelong’s Joel Selwood.

“I’ve always been small, no matter what grade I’ve played, and I’ve learned to deal with it.

“It’s not something I can hide and while my height’s bothered some people and is obviously the biggest adversity I’ve had to overcome, it’s never bothered me.

“When I’ve been overlooked for something I’ve just tried to prove the doubters wrong, so if anything it’s just made me more determined.

“When you’re a little fella you have to be extra determined and make sure you’re very good at certain aspects of the game.’’

Caleb Daniel at the AFL Draft Combine, where he finished equal second in the beep test.

Daniel proved that this year with his strong ballwinning ability and elite skills.

After failing to get a game for SA at the start of the national under-18 championships, he helped lead to the team to the title and was rewarded for his standout displays with All-Australian selection.

“He really stood up as a footballer and probably had a few recruiters suddenly scratching their heads and rethinking their plans,’’ SA coach Brenton Phillips said.

‘How could you not take him after his performances?’’

Daniel has played 21 league games for the Panthers and was instrumental in their Cinderella season which saw them rise from eighth last year to third.

Eight AFL clubs interviewed him at the combine, where he finished equal-first in the beep test (16.1) and equal-second in the clean hands test.

Daniel says having pint-sized Brad Gotch as his senior coach at South had helped “tremendously’’ with his development.

“I’ve actually got him covered for height, which is good, and being small he knows what a small fella’s job is and how he should play,’’ Daniel said.

“With his AFL background, Gotchy has heard on the grapevine what areas of my game I’ve needed to improve, such as being more explosive and hitting the scoreboard more, and I’ve certainly improved in those areas.’’

The 166cm Gotch kicked 122 goals in 96 games for Fitzroy and St Kilda from 1982-90 and understands more than most that height isn’t everything.

“Caleb’s got so many other good qualities that clubs would be mad not to give him a go,’’ Gotch said.

CALEB DANIEL

Club: South Adelaide.

Age: 18.

Height: 167cm.

Weight: 68kg.

Position: Small forward/midfielder.

Draft verdict: 51-Rookie.

SAY WHAT: “Clubs would be mad not to give Caleb a go. If he was 10cm taller he’d probably be a top-10 pick.’’ - South Adelaide coach Brad Gotch.

Originally published as South Adelaide pocket rocket Caleb Daniel is ready to prove the doubters wrong