Sam Clohesy wins 2023 Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal

Sam Clohesy’s career has taken him right across Australia at the age of 21 but the young Werribee defender is now preparing for the biggest moments of his life.

Sam Clohesy’s football journey has taken him right across the country — and he’s only 21.

He’s played everywhere from the Northern Territory to developing his game across Queensland and at St Joseph’s in Geelong.

But it’s a breakout season in the VFL with grand finalists Werribee which has him on the cusp of an AFL chance.

The defender’s chances received a major boost on Monday night when he was named the 2023 Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal, which is awarded to the VFL’s most promising young talent under 24.

Clohesy credited his breakout season to many of Werribee’s experienced heads who will lead the Bees into battle against the Gold Coast Suns on Sunday afternoon.

After just a handful of games for Werribee last year, Clohesy has taken full advantage of a key role in 2023.

Sam Clohesy of Werribee with the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal. (Photo by Graham Denholm/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“It has been fantastic because they’ve really taken me under their wings and taught me things I never thought I would need,” he said of his experienced teammates.

“It has been unreal. Seeing how guys like Tommy Gribble goes about the day-to-day business. Louis Pinnock, Cogs (Nick Coughlan) all of those boys have really helped me actually start getting some good form.

“It’s obviously a dream of every kid that comes through to get to the top. Right now, I just want to focus on this weekend and get through there.

“To get there one day, we’ll see what happens.”

Clohesy has VFL experience at two other clubs, Coburg and Sydney, but it’s the feeling of community that he believes has allowed him to thrive.

The 20-year-old likens the club from Avalon Airport Oval to a local footy side.

“They always marry up what it’s like to be at an aligned club (with an AFL side) and what it’s like to be a standalone club,” he said.

“There’s nothing better than being like a local footy club and that’s what Werribee is.

“We have this culture at the club that’s just unbelievable.

“Even rocking up through pre-season, it’s not like you’re annoyed about having to do a pre-season session, you’re excited to get there.

“I think that’s one of the things that has carried through, everyone’s just riding the wave.”

Sam Clohesy in action. (Photo by Kelly Defina/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Sunday’s grand final shapes as a thriller with both sides dropping just two games for the season.

The Bees won the only previous meeting between the two sides by a point.

“It’s definitely going to be the biggest game of my career by far,” he said.

“We know we’re quality outfit, they’ve got a lot of AFL talent in that group.

“For us it’s just keeping things as they have all year, keeping it simple and getting the job done.”