Sam Banks joins elite company after dominating national carnival

Sam Banks spends hours in the car each week getting to and from training, but his dedication has paid off joining some of the state’s finest footy products with a national award.

Sam Banks in action for the Devils against the Chargers at North Hobart Oval in the NAB League. Picture: SOLSTICE DIGITAL

BRADY Rawlings, Mav Weller, Tarryn Thomas. Now Oatlands flyer Sam Banks has joined this exclusive alumni list for Tasmanian football talent.

Banks has become just the fifth Tasmanian to win the Alan McLean Medal after being named the most valuable player at the under-16s national carnival, joining an illustrious list of players who have gone on to be drafted into the AFL.

He averaged 24 touches a game across the three matches playing a combination of midfield and halfback.

“I wasn’t going away expecting to win it, but it is a privilege and an honour,” Banks said of winning the medal and being named in the All-Australian team.

“I got to know [North Melbourne’s] Tarryn a little bit when I was in the under-12s and he was in the under-15s and I’ve followed him very closely since the under-16s.

“And I got a message from [Richmond’s] Mav as soon as he found out I won it which was very nice of him.”

It is reward for family dedication with Sam’s parents, Joanne and Laurence, continually ferrying their son from Oatlands to various training venues around Hobart three or four times a week so the recently turned 16-year-old can chase his football dreams, including playing five games for the under-18s Devils in the NAB League.

Sam Banks in action for the Devils in the NAB League. Picture: Solstice Digital

“It is a big commitment but I love it and that’s the main thing,” the Year 10 Oatlands District High School student said.

“Every now and then it gets a bit much but after doing it for a few years now you get pretty used to it.

“With the Devils they give you a night off every now and then if you need it or if you’ve got important exams coming up.”

Playing in the NAB League has also fast-tracked his development.

“It has been a huge difference, just getting a taste for it at the highest level for your age group. It prepared me really well for the 16s carnival, you got used to flying and being around the same group of coaches most of the year, not going backwards and forwards, it gives you a lot of opportunities being in the NAB League with the Devils.”

He comes from a big footy family, with his dad only hanging up his boots after turning 47 and having played 550 games for Sorell, Mangalore and Woodsdale.