How AFL’s shortest player, Docker Isaiah Dudley, overcame knock-backs to play his first game home in South Australia
Isaiah Dudley was overlooked for three years. On Sunday, he was playing in the Barossa Valley. This is the story of the 168cm Docker’s rise, told by family, including uncle Eddie Betts.
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The voice of Isaiah Dudley’s grandmother crackles when she is asked about her family’s pride.
“Words can’t express how I feel,” Ann Newchurch tells this masthead.
Dudley, Fremantle’s newest player and the AFL’s shortest, was back in South Australia on Sunday, back on country, featuring in his third game, in front of a massive contingent of loved ones at Barossa Park.
The 168cm small forward started as the substitute in the Dockers’ 61-point victory over Richmond at Lyndoch, before showing his X-factor in the last term.
It was just down the highway, for SANFL club Central District, that Dudley sparked recruiters’ interest.
The proud Narangga, Kokatha and Mirning man was overlooked for three years by AFL clubs, including the Crows, who could have nominated him as a Next Generation Academy draftee in 2021.
Finally, Fremantle gave Dudley the chance to realise his dream, signing him during the supplemental selection period in February.
“His resilience and his sheer determination, that’s what got him here,” Newchurch says.
“With all the support behind him, we knew the day would come.
“We knew once he got himself there, there’d be no turning back.”
About 50 family and friends travelled to Perth for Dudley’s debut against West Coast in round 3 last month.
He booted two goals from 10 disposals in that derby triumph, then one major from 12 touches last week in the win over the Western Bulldogs.
Newchurch estimated about 90 people – from Adelaide, Port Lincoln and the Yorke Peninsula – would be part of her grandson’s “cheer squad” on Sunday.
“What we had in Perth was nothing,” she says.
“It’s extra special to watch him play back on country.”
Dudley is the oldest of six brothers, raised by single mother Karisma with the support of family and the community.
He grew up in Port Lincoln and quickly fell in love with Aussie rules.
If they did not have a footy at home, the siblings would improvise by kicking rolled socks.
Dudley came through Mallee Park, the famous club that produced his uncles Peter Burgoyne, Shaun Burgoyne, Eddie Betts, Graham Johncock, Harry Miller and Eddie Sansbury among many Indigenous AFL stars.
The Burgoynes were Dudley’s football idols.
His grandfather, Lincoln Dudley, was a Mallee Park champion.
He moved to Adelaide, playing for Salisbury West, Salisbury North, Central District and his high school, Prince Alfred College, where he teamed with his cousin, Melbourne speedster Kysaiah Pickett.
Newchurch says her grandson has always been small for his age, but his height has never held him back.
He took over the mantle as the shortest player in the league from Hawthorn’s Nick Watson (170cm).
“A lot of people talk about the shortness and when they see and my sisters they say ‘you’ve got a short family’,” Newchurch says.
“But when you look at the rest of the family and the Dudley family, and Shaun and Peter, there’s some height there.
“He must have caught our genes.”
Betts, who is 172cm, tells this masthead: “If there’s kids out there who think they’re too small and people are telling you, look at Isaiah, look at Caleb Daniel (171cm), look at the Wizard (Watson).
“Don’t give up on your dreams.
“I played 350 AFL games as a small forward – and kicked 640 goals – so keep at it.”
Dudley’s height did not stop him from making the AFL, it was his off-field habits.
He was considered one of Australia’s most talented juniors as a 16-year-old, earning All-Australian honours, but later given feedback he needed to improve things like fitness, diet and getting the most out of himself.
Last season for Central District, he starred, finishing third in the Bulldogs’ best-and-fairest.
Betts revealed he tried to get him to Carlton this year before Fremantle swooped.
Blues VFL coach Luke Power knew Dudley from his previous role as AFL academy coach and Betts said his former club was prepared to offer him a state-league contract.
“Isaiah was very excited to come over, but he stopped because Fremantle gave him the chance,” Betts says.
“I was so happy for him to give it a go.”
Dudley transformed his body through hard work during Fremantle’s pre-season, becoming more agile and doing extra training when he returned to Port Lincoln for the Christmas break.
Dockers recruit Shai Bolton knew nothing about him until he trialled with the club.
Teammates have loved Dudley’s desire to improve, his caring personality and how dangerous he is to play on.
“We love his run and carry, he sets his teammates up, his goal sense and he adds something different for us,” Bolton tells this masthead.
Fremantle, which has a rich history of Aboriginal players, has been a good fit for Dudley.
He wears number 43, previously donned by Dockers development coach and the club’s ex-Indigenous liaison officer Roger Hayden.
Veteran forward Michael Walters has taken him under his wing.
“The club’s been so welcoming to the family,” Dudley’s uncle, ex-Hawthorn player Miller, says.
“He’s very thankful for their guidance and so are we.”
Dudley coming on at three-quarter time drew cheers from Dockers fans among the crowd of 10,028.
None more so than his family standing on the southwestern half-forward flank.
The excitement rose when the pocket rocket sold candy near his defensive 50, then took off down the wing, bouncing the ball three times.
“A lot of people can’t defend him because you don’t know what he’s going to do,” Bolton says.
“Is he going to dummy or is he going to kick it?”
Dudley finished the match with six disposals, three marks and a behind.
The chance to watch him in his home state is still sinking in for his family.
“It’s so overwhelming and it’s beyond proud,” says Miller, who has been a father figure in Dudley’s life.
“It’s emotional knowing he’s got his opportunity now.
“We truly believed within our circle he had everything it takes to get there.
“He just had to keep fighting.
“He might be small in stature, but he’s big in heart.”
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Originally published as How AFL’s shortest player, Docker Isaiah Dudley, overcame knock-backs to play his first game home in South Australia
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