Overlooked Torquay talent Patrick Hughes opens up on draft experience and hot start with junior club

Patrick Hughes tied for the Morrish Medal with the No.2 pick in last year’s draft, but he missed out. He sheds light on that experience, his hopes for the future and his hot start for Torquay.

Patrick Hughes opens up on his draft year. Picture: Graham Denholm/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Overlooked draft prospect Patrick Hughes has not given up on reaching the AFL in the future but said he focusing on the short-term after a barnstorming start to the Bellarine Football Netball League season for Torquay.

The bullocking midfielder tied for the Morrish Medal with the second pick in last year’s draft, North Melbourne’s Colby McKercher, after a strong season for the Geelong Falcons in the Coates League.

Hughes was invited to test at the state draft combine last year but was ultimately overlooked in November’s drafts, with recruiters citing concerns over his speed.

He earned a spot on Geelong’s VFL list this season and while he is yet to debut for the Cats, Hughes has made a compelling case to coach Mark Corrigan in his first three games for the Tigers.

Playing in a midfield-forward role, Hughes has booted 12 majors – including a stunning six-goal haul against Ocean Grove on Saturday.

While not his number one goal, Hughes said that reaching the heights of the AFL remains at the back of his mind, with Geelong draftee Shaun Mannagh’s recruitment at 26 proving that it is can be done later in a career.

But he is conscious of letting hope get the best of him, as it did at times during his draft year.

Patrick Hughes tested at last year’s state draft combine. Picture: Martin Keep/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

“I’d never write it off, it is a long goal but I definitely have smaller goals and steps towards achieving that. It is sort of trying to get the best out of myself and getting myself as fit and to a level where I can perform in any league,” Hughes said.

“It is really just getting the best out of myself while I’m young and wherever that takes me, it’s going to take me.

“It is day to day where hopefully it will lead me to bigger and better stuff.

“(Mannagh) does definitely show that the opportunity is always going to be there. It could take 6-8 years and that’s why I’m not focusing on it too much, just smaller goals and trying to get the best out of myself.

“It could be next year or six or so years where you get your luck, but I’m not trying to look too far ahead and fill myself with hope too much because you get caught up with it a little bit and start to worry about things that aren’t really necessary.”

It is difficult for an 18-year-old kid not to get swept up in the prospect of becoming an AFL player.

Hughes conceded the mixed messaging was difficult to handle last year but he did his best to block it all out – and that was when he played his best footy.

“It was sort of tough when different people are telling you different things and you’re not really sure who to believe or what to believe. But I was pretty focused on doing what I can control and whatever happened just happened,” Hughes said.

“There was for sure times where you do get a bit hopeful, but I felt like I was pretty strong-minded in the fact that … I lowered my expectations and sort of went out there and did what I could and I really didn’t think about all that stuff.

“You’re getting told this, like ‘you might be getting picked up, ‘you might not be’. Kind of opposites from different people but at the end of the day there was a few people I just listened to and they were quite accurate.”

Hughes with his Morrish Medal. Picture: Kelly Defina/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Geelong Falcons coach Paul Corrigan and Torquay coach Dom Gleeson were among those sounding boards he confided in.

It has been under Gleeson at Torquay where he has thrived this season and he is thoroughly enjoying his time playing at his local club with mates, including childhood friend Reef Page.

But the humble 19-year-old puts his bag of six down to luck.

“I’m loving it after a few years away from the club, at Falcons and stuff, it is just so good to come back and play with everyone. A few of my mates are in the team, it is what footy is about: playing in a club and in your local side so I’m loving it, has been awesome so far,” Hughes said.

“I got a bit lucky I reckon, the boys worked really hard up the ground and was sort of able to capitalise and kicking pretty straight definitely helped.”

In the meantime, Hughes will continue to show up and plug away.

“I think I’m doing what I can at the moment, that’s been good training (at Geelong) and learning a fair bit off the players around me. I’m doing my best and we’ll just see what happens,” Hughes said.

Originally published as Overlooked Torquay talent Patrick Hughes opens up on draft experience and hot start with junior club