The draft hopeful that produced the best NAB League season on record

He’s the young gun that produced the best NAB League season on record but Northern Knights skipper Joel Trudgeon couldn’t care less.

Northern Knights skipper Joel Trudgeon. Picture: Michael Klein

Northern Knights captain Joel Trudgeon couldn’t care less about SuperCoach points.

Team wins and getting a tick from the coach are far more important but there’s no denying his sublime season.

In seven NAB League games the 19-year-old averaged 29.6 disposals (fourth overall), 10 tackles (first overall), six marks, one goal and 191 SuperCoach points - statistically the best Champion Data season has ever recorded.

It puts him ahead of No.1 draft picks Matt Rowell (171 points) and Sam Walsh (158), Tom Rockliff (163), Patrick Dangerfield (153) and this season’s potential top choice Nick Daicos (159).

“The thing I pride myself on was when I walked off I had put out 110 per cent and was the best teammate I could be,” Trudgeon said.

Joel Trudgeon fires out a handball for Northern Knights. Picture: Michael Klein

“That’s the metrics I base my game on rather than going out to get a certain number of kicks or handballs or goals to get SuperCoach points.”

The standout campaign saw him rewarded with the Brent Harvey Medal as the Northern Knights best-and-fairest.

Likened to Sydney star Josh Kennedy, he’s one of the favourites to collect the NAB League’s Morrish Medal.

However, despite Trudgeon’s dominance he was overlooked for Vic Metro honours, missed out on an AFL Draft Combine invite and has hardly been mentioned in terms of draft night.

Instead he made his VFL debut with Carlton - picking up 13 disposals and 10 tackles in his first game - and senior football debut with Macleod in the Northern Football League.

The Research junior remains unfazed, continuing to train in lockdown while studying construction management at RMIT, trusting his dedication will pay off.

“It was disappointing to miss Vic Metro, it was a goal of mine to make that squad, but I didn’t dwell on it too much,” he said.

“I knew other opportunities would present themselves and I was able to get one at Carlton, which I was appreciate of.

“The experience of playing at Carlton and Macleod was invaluable in a way, I wasn’t able to go out and play the way I was at Knights in regards to finding the ball as many times as I can.

“I learnt a lot from the players I played with and against, more mature, bigger bodies, especially in my role as an inside midfielder.

“It’s helped me not be complacent and not be stationary with who I was as a footballer and I was able to get a kick out of it.

“I used 2020 as an extension of the pre-season, there were some days I didn’t want to train but I thought if I go out I’ll reap the benefits.

“It just shows if you stay true to something that eventually it will pay off and I was pleased I was able to have a good season.”

With the 2020 season cancelled and 2021 heavily interrupted, Trudgeon has had some critical support off the field.

His family has been ever-present, especially sister Paige, who was picked up by the AFLW Blues this year.

He trained with Knights teammate Liam Kolar, a highly-regarded draft hopeful last year, and NAB League premiership-winning coach Leigh Clarke made an immediate impact.

Clarke helped his young skipper deal with rejection and gave him the feedback he didn’t want to hear.

“The biggest impact Leigh had on me was off-field, ensuring you’re compliant with the team rules, on time to meetings and present yourself well,” Trudgeon said.

Northern Knights coach Leigh Clarke. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Northern Knights captain Joel Trudgeon. Picture: Michael Klein

“We had a few honest chats and he gave me feedback that I didn’t necessarily want to hear, it wasn’t all positive, but that’s the best relationship you can have.

“It was about showing I could get outside the contest and shoring up my kicking under pressure but also making the most of my strengths - my running ability and contest work.

“My family has been huge for me and they always have been, obviously my sister was drafted to Carlton, but my dad, mum, brother and sister are always there to provide me feedback.

“We’ve spent a fair bit of time together over lockdown, but I was able to bounce ideas off them and learn a lot off them.”

Now the waiting game begins.

The AFL Draft Combine for Vic Metro players will be held on Saturday, October 9, with six Knights teammates scoring an invite.

Positively, Trudgeon has had several interviews with AFL clubs, showing he’s not completely off the radar, but he knows nothing is certain.

The Western Bulldogs supporter will be ready to reward the club that takes a chance on him.

KNIGHTS: HIDDEN GEM LAUNCHES INTO DRAFT DEBATE

LEADER: GET YOUR NAB LEAGUE FOOTY NEWS HERE

NFL: STAGLIANO EXPLAINS MACLEOD COACHING EXIT

“I’ve had a few interviews with clubs but obviously nothing concrete,” he said.

“At the moment I’m just staying ready, training hard and being ready for the next opportunity.

“I’ve been training with some mates from my old school three times a week and then I try to do a lot of extras, working on my running and skills.

“I don’t want to burn myself out too much but I want to best prepare myself so I can get that one or two per cent extra for pre-season.”