Will Fordham has gone from an optimistic draft prospect to the Dolphins’ heart and soul

From draft hopeful to heart and soul of Frankston. We go inside Will Fordham’s rise to one of Frankston’s favourite sons.

web Leader Will Fordham 1280

When the names of the mid-season AFL draft nominations were released, there was a noticeable absentee from the ranks of the VFL.

The list didn’t feature Frankston Dolphin’s captain Will Fordham.

It wasn’t a mistake on the AFL’s part.

The two-time Dolphins best and fairest winner did not nominate; his football dream has dramatically transformed since he arrived at Kars St five years ago.

After being delisted by North Melbourne at the end of 2017, Fordham joined Frankston intent on being back on an AFL list in quick time.

“Frankston were willing to offer me flexibility of where I wanted to play on the ground,” Fordham said.

“The whole time I was at North Melbourne I was wing, wing, wing, wing, I never really got moved, so it was being able to move on ball.

“I wanted to add another string to my bow and play in another position because in AFL you can’t really be set to one position these days, you have to be able to play any position.

“Frankston were willing to offer me that position on ball and up forward if I wanted so I thought I would grab that with both hands.”

Will Fordham.

But now, Fordham, who is described by senior coach Danny Ryan as “the heart and soul of the club”, has different aspirations.

“When you get delisted, the first thing you want to do is get back there,” he said.

“I was very me focused and self-orientated, I wanted to improve myself and get redrafted, I still cared about the team obviously, but I wanted to get back playing AFL.

“As the years went on the chances of getting redrafted got slimmer and slimmer and as I got older, I started to really enjoy seeing my teammates improve.

“There’s been players that have got drafted or redrafted from Frankston and it’s just awesome to see, there’s a few players this year who will put their hand up to get drafted and it’s just so pleasing to see that.

“I like to help them out on the field and off the field to be the best player they can be, I like to feed them the knowledge I have been given over the years – it’s really rewarding.

“This club, I think we won one game in my first year, two in my second, and then from then on: six wins, seven wins, it’s awesome to see and it gives this community something to follow again.”

Fordham during a game in 2018.

With the AFL dream back of mind, Fordham is bucking the trend of many VFL footballers who have gone before him.

He won’t sell himself to the highest bidder at local level. Instead he will stay a Dolphin until his side is in the same conversation as other VFL powerhouses.

“It’s just care,” he said as to why he is still a Dolphin.

“I care for this club, care for the community of Frankston, care for my teammates and just want to be playing the best footy I can for as long as my body allows me to

“I will eventually play some local footy I am sure, but it’s just playing the best footy I can, if that was somehow AFL then of course but just keep building this culture, this club.

“I want to make Frankston what Willy was, what Port was through their prime, where players go to play out of the AFL and I believe Frankston can do that.

“This club has a special part in my heart, so I want to hang around for a little bit, as long as they keep me.”