Bombers’ Devils dream: How draft hope seized his chance

He was a standout in Tasmania’s stirring under-16 championships campaign, and it’s only added fuel to the fire for a draft hope chasing his dream.

Sam Husband celebrates kicking a goal for Tasmania against Northern Territory at the under-16 national championships. (Photo by Craig Dooley/AFL Photos)

Tasmania draft prospect Sam Husband’s excitement is evident when asked how he’d feel, hypothetically, if his name was read out by the Devils in 2027.

After Tasmania’s scintillating under-16 championships, the classy North Launceston youngster was one of a handful to put their name up in lights with star displays in front of scouts.

They’re the first batch eligible to be picked up by the AFL’s newest club, and the midfielder-forward seized his chance to impress.

“It (being drafted by the Devils) would be pretty surreal I reckon. With the history of the Devils, it would be awesome to get drafted to them,” Husband said.

“Obviously I’d love to go anywhere, to any club, but the Devils would be pretty awesome.

“My biggest goal this year is to hopefully play a grand final with North Launceston. I’ll see where football takes me the next couple of years, but I’ll probably stay in Tasmania.”

After moving from Prospect to the Bombers this year, Husband has played six senior games before Saturday’s twilight clash with rivals Launceston at UTAS Stadium.

The St Patrick’s College student is a goal-kicking midfielder at junior level, but has played a number of roles with the Bombers to hone his craft.

He is regarded as a strong leader with a good kick, an ability to explode out of packs and a strong overhead mark for his size.

Tasmania’s 16s put their name up in lights with a 164-point belting of Gold Coast Academy on their home turf last Monday.

Husband said they were keen to impress scouts and keep their foot on the throat, even after the result was well in hand.

“It was a real big motivation. We had a lot of fun playing that game,” Husband said.

“The first half we were pretty serious, but coming into the last half we wanted to continue that motivation even though we were well ahead.

“We had one key line Brad (Cox-Goodyer, 16s coach and North Launceston teammate) helped us out with, which is ‘pressure is a privilege’.

“Coming into the GWS game (20-point win last Thursday) after we pumped Gold Coast, we were favourites, but also the underdogs coming from Tasmania. We took that line on board and did really well.”

Husband racked up 21 touches, six clearances and a game-high 153 Supercoach points against GWS, which wrapped up the division two title for Tasmania.

It followed 21 disposals and two goals against the Gold Coast, and Husband has enjoyed playing different roles in senior football.

“Smithy (Bombers coach Adrian Smith) has been putting me down half back, which I’ve been enjoying, and played half-forward a couple of games,” he said.

“I’ve been enjoying half back, just learning that position and learning off (teammate) Theo Ives and guys like that, they’ve been good leaders.

Max Gulliver in action for Tasmania under-16s. (Photo by Craig Dooley/AFL Photos)

“The goal is to go far with football and hopefully make the AFL. I do look up to players like (Tasmania draftees) Colby (McKercher) and Ryley Sanders.

“There’s a few boys in our (Tasmania 16s) team this year who have shown what they have with their skill and potential. Guys like (carnival MVP) Lucas Heazlewood and Max Gulliver.

“There’s a lot of boys in that team who obviously want to be drafted, but it’s only under 16s at the moment so it depends how everyone develops.

“Half the team are playing senior footy in Tassie, so that brings a lot of confidence to our own game. We’re playing against men, then we go up and play kids our own age, so you want to have that mentality you believe you’re better than your opponent.”

Husband said North Launceston’s track record of developing draftees was a factor in his move.

“I didn’t know much about them until I got there. I knew they’re a great team, but over the off season I was umming and ahhing about playing junior or senior football,” he said.

“Moving from Prospect was hard, but coming here I’ve realised it’s the best choice I’ve made for my football, to learn off heaps of different people.”

Smith said Husband’s passion for improvement should hold him in good stead.

“He’s super professional. For a kid who’s still 15 he’s really committed to his footy, he’s really eager and keen to learn,” Smith said.

Tasmania under-16 players listen to coach Brad Cox-Goodyer. Picture Craig Dooley/AFL Photos

“He asks lots of questions and he wants to surround himself with good players, and good people. That’s his biggest driving force, he wants to get the best out of himself.

“He takes every opportunity as a learning opporutniy. His preparation for games, the way he goes about training and looking after his body is really strong. He’s setting himself up for a really positive future going forward.

“For someone of his size he’s a strong mark above his head, and an awkward match up ahead of the footy. He covers the ground really well and has really good speed and goal sense.

“That mid-forward role, or an inside mid with clean hands, is probably the progression he’s going to head towards.”

Smith, who also coaches at the Devils’ northern academy, said the 16s’ nationals performance was encouraging.

“Brad was glowing with how they played, and the brand they played,” he said.

“It’s a bit cyclic in terms of how this age group plays out. But they’ve got a good foundation for the next couple of years and being the first (Devils) draft crop, it’s important they keep developing them.

“That’s what the academy system is all about, to develop as much talent as we can to filter into the AFL team and for Tassie footy to be successful.”