Former Wanderers Eagles star Joel Jeffrey embracing a gruelling AFL Gold Coast Suns pre-season block
AFTER officially landing on Gold Coast’s list in December, emerging forward Joel Jeffrey hopes his journey becomes one others look to follow in the years to come.
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AFTER officially landing on Gold Coast’s list in December, emerging forward Joel Jeffrey hopes his journey becomes one others look to follow in the years to come.
Jeffrey said while his path onto an AFL list has been challenging and unique, he hopes it becomes a normality for other Territorians hoping to make the grade.
The brilliant career of Wanderers product Joel Jeffrey will reach the summit on AFL Draft day
Former Darwin Buffaloes NTFL star Mal Rosas feeling more at home at AFL’s Gold Coast Suns outfit
“There are very high standards at training but the boys have gotten around us, me and the other young fellas, the first-year players,” the former Wanderers star told the NT News.
“It started with Mally Rosas last year, it’s helped a lot. Hopefully we see more young boys get drafted and put on an AFL list in the coming years.
“I know Janet’s (Territorian Janet Baird, who is listed on the Suns’ AFLW list) brothers and her family. We’re very close with them so it’s good to see the girls on an AFLW list as well.”
On the training track, the former Muk Muks junior and utility has been plying his trade with the forwards.
“I’m training with the forwards – there are good leaders in the group. They’ve helped me a lot and shown me directions on the field,” Jeffrey said.
“I found it hard at first but I’m easing into it now and I’m learning the structures of the game, how to move, being a forward and just getting the ball.
“I’ve played forward in junior footy a fair bit but I’ve found it good coming here. I’ve learnt a lot, hopefully I become a good forward player.”
Like other Territorians on the Suns’ list, Jeffrey is making the most of his time on the coast and settling into life as an AFL footballer.
“Having these Indigenous boys around has helped me fit in and feel more comfortable. Obviously Alex Davies and Rhys (Nicholls) and Fyfey (Aiden Fyfe) and playing in the Suns Academy with them (last year), they’re a bunch of good boys,” he said.
“Outside footy back home I love hunting and fishing all the time. More so here we go down to the beach, go shopping – I love it here.”
While that’s life for Jeffrey at the moment – vying for his spot in the senior side and improving his game the best way he can – he’s setting a benchmark for Territory juniors who hopefully will one day follow in his footsteps.
“It’d be good to see more Indigenous boys get put on an AFL list. I just want to be a role model for the younger kids back home – hopefully one day they achieve their dream like me and Mally Rosas did,” Jeffrey said.
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