VAFA: Jarrad Waite says amateur football clubs are set to profit from their job networks
Former AFL star Jarrod Waite says joining an amateur club was “one of the smartest things” he has done. Here’s why he believes reduced salary caps in local football will lead players to amateur clubs — and it has nothing to do with footy.
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Former AFL star Jarrad Waite has found a happy home in the VAFA – and he believes more footballers will soon be doing the same.
After finishing his decorated AFL career, former Carlton and North Melbourne big man Waite joined St Kevin’s in 2019 when the club lined him up a job.
He’s involved in the construction industry and has just finished a major piling project at the Metro Tunnel.
Waite said he made the decision to go to a club that could offer him employment and it was “one of the smartest things I’ve done’’.
He said that with match payments to be cut in local football – all suburban leagues next year will have salary caps of $100,000 – he expected more players would look to the amateurs and put work ahead of money.
“Obviously I’m a little bit older than the majority of boys coming out of the AFL system, so I was looking more for a career path rather going after some cash and stuff like that, hence why I went to the Ammos and St Kevin’s,’’ Waite said.
“Especially with how it’s playing out now with that (salary caps), it’s one of the smartest things I’ve done.
“I think that has been enticing more players to the VAFA, that really good connection of what the clubs have got to offer, job-wise and stability-wise, and I think more will be enticed by those networks, because you can set yourself up for the rest of your life. Footy obviously doesn’t last forever. You’re only one game away from a potential serious injury.’’
Waite added: “I’ve been pretty lucky. My job is nice and hands-on — you can’t let your hands get too soft as you get older — working with a group of guys, and that’s enjoyable. It’s been a really good transition from footy to what some would say is the real world. ’’
Waite said he left football without any qualifications, had his mind on getting involved in construction and St Kevin’s used its contacts to get him an interview.
Thirty-eight before the start of the next season, he said he was likely to play on given he sat out this year due to COVID-19.
Waite said he enjoyed the atmosphere of the VAFA and was impressed by the standard of the Premier section.
He kicked 58 goals, including a bag of 11 against De La Salle, as St Kevin’s went through to the grand final, where they fell to Uni Blues.
“There are some really good players, and it’s not one of those leagues where, if you’re not fit, you can still play well,’’ Waite said.
“You have to be on top of your game.’’
He said with a laugh that if he did play on next year, he might have to go back to his Carlton days and switch to defence.
That was a reference to 2016 Western Bulldogs premiership hero Tom Boyd joining St Kevin’s.
Boyd is overseeing the club’s player welfare program.
Like Boyd, Patrick Kerr, another former Blue, also linked with St Kevin’s ahead of 2020, giving Skob arguably the most potent forward line outside of the VFL.
“Yeah, we were pretty excited when the big fella came to us,’’ Waite said of Boyd.
“I might have to go and find myself another position now. I might have to go down back, like in the old Carlton days. I think everyone will be excited to see him having a kick.’’
For 2021, St Kevin’s will have even more star power in former Gold Coast Sun Tom Nicholls and Vermont ruckman Liam Buxton.
Both were mid-season signings this year as the VAFA worked towards starting the season, and the club confirmed both would play in 2021.
Tom Jok also returned to St Kevin’s after his stint at Essendon.
Guy Martyn has been reappointed senior coach and he will be assisted by Craig Jennings, who had been at AFL club Melbourne.
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