AFL draft prospect Mitch Podhajski enjoying breakout TAC Cup season with Calder Cannons

DRAFT prospect Mitch Podhajski’s life revolves around feet.

Calder Cannons defender Mitch Podhajski has enjoyed a strong start to the TAC Cup season. Picture: Kylie Else.

MITCH Podhajski’s life revolves around feet.

The 18-year-old spent most of the TAC Cup off-season working tirelessly on his kicking, a deficiency identified by AFL clubs in his eight games last year for Calder Cannons.

When he wasn’t honing his skills with his dad John or brother Liam, Podhajski was preparing to study podiatry at La Trobe University after completing his studies at St Bernard’s College.

Podhajski’s diligence has paid off in the opening two months of the TAC Cup season, during which he has emerged as a key pillar of the Cannons’ defence.

“He turns up to training early, prepares really well, asks all the right questions,” assistant coach Brett Gourley said.

“Really the ultimate professional in terms of the way he goes about his footy.”

Gourley knows Podhajski well, having worked with him at Essendon District Football League under-18 powerhouse Aberfeldie after his junior career started at Greenvale.

“To go to the next level you have really got to be willing to put in the hard work and I think with him, he has got that attitude there that is always going to hold him in good stead,” he said.

The Calder vice-captain showcased his versatility in Round 7 against Gippsland Power, swinging into attack and booting six goals as the club broke through for its first victory of 2017.

“The week before we played Gippsland, I wasn’t training on the Tuesday night so I went during the day to collect my footage and (talent manager Ian Kyte) mentioned to me that I was a chance of playing a bit forward,” Podhajski said.

“On the Wednesday during the day I went with my dad down to the footy ground and had shots at goal for probably an hour or two hours.

“I thought if I was going to have a crack at being in the forward line and I have a shot for goal, I don’t want to miss it. I hadn’t been working on my goalkicking over summer.”

Mitch Podhajski lays a tackle on Geelong Falcons Adam Garner. Picture: Alison Wynd.

Cannons coach Andrew Johnston rated Podhajski, one of six Calder players named in the initial Vic Metro squad, as one of the most committed players at Highgate Reserve.

The defender has increased his output from nine disposals per game last year to an average of 20 this season and, crucially, improved his efficiency by foot.

Podhajski has managed 73 effective kicks from 113 this year, hitting a target 65 per cent of the time.

“I feel like my kicking has been better. It can always improve,” he said.

Johnston praised the Greenvale resident’s ability to eliminate one of his weaknesses during the summer.

“He’s gone out and actually done something about those things and that’s why his first half of the year has been exceptional,” he said.

Podhajski takes a selfless approach into each game, placing a greater emphasis on team success than impressing AFL recruiters.

“I think they work hand-in-hand in a way,” he said.

“If you show you can play and be a part of a team and play for the team, that’s probably more appealing than whatever individual accolades you can get during the game.

“If you want to work on the individual things, that’s what you do at training.

“Once you start playing the game, your sole focus should be winning. The development comes at training.”

Johnston said Podhajski, who stands at 190cm, would be given opportunities to play through the midfield during the second half of the campaign.

“He’s got a great tank,” he said.

“It’s a matter of exposing these guys to all the positions, which is important at this level.”