How Hawks star helped young Bomber’s self belief

North Launceston’s Brandon Leary came agonisingly close to getting drafted into the AFL last year, but some help from a Hawthorn star is helping drive his hot start to the TSL season.

North Launceston's Brandon Leary in action for North Launceston last season. Picture Andrew Woodgate

A TRAINING stint with Hawthorn and tutelage from Hawks star Chad Wingard has helped drive North Launceston livewire Brandon Leary’s outstanding start to the TSL season.

After narrowly missing out on being drafted last year, the 19-year-old trained over summer with Hawthorn and now has the belief he can dominate games, as shown by his six-goal display in Saturday’s 62-point thrashing of Clarence.

Leary now has 11 goals in three games this season and was brilliant in the Bomber’s first win of the year.

He kicked six goals and took six marks, but his six one percenters and ten contested possessions would have pleased coach Brad Cox-Goodyer most after he praised Leary’s defensive improvements post-match.

Seeking advice from Wingard seems wise given Leary plays a similar role, where he uses his speed to make an impact, gets in the right spots to get the ball in dangerous positions and doesn’t need many touches to hurt opponents.

“He (Wingard) is definitely an impact player and I feel like I’m pretty similar, can take a grab and am quick off the mark,” Leary said.

“Blokes like Chad Wingard were really good. Talking to people who’ve played a lot of AFL games for them to give their time to someone like me who’s basically a nobody (was great).

“He gave me great confidence in what spots to be on the ground at training and telling me where I need to go.

“ I’ve played a lot of footy now the last couple of years at a pretty good level. It’s good to come back into a great club like this and have a bit more confidence in myself to go about it, it’s really good.”

Leary is also motivated by Hawthorn’s assurances they’ll take notice if we plays strong, consistent football at TSL level.

“They said to me if I come back and play some good footy that they’ll definitely be looking and watching,” he said.

Brandon Leary playing for Tasmania Devils last year. Picture: Linda Higginson

“(It’s in the back of my mind) a little bit, but at the moment it’s just trying to get wins on the board after a disappointing start (two losses before beating Clarence).

“I had an opportunity to get drafted last year and unfortunately it didn’t go my way, but to come back now and put on a good show with the team like that is really good.

“I had a few clubs interested and trained with Hawthorn at the end of last year, and start of this year. I’d say it was pretty close.”

AFL clubs have shown a greater willingness to draft slightly older players who initially missed out on being drafted.

Leary is small in stature but has a booming kick, twice kicking long range set shot goals at critical moments against the Roos.

“I went into the Devils program pretty late, 18 I think, so coming in late I wasn’t as developed,” he said.

“The skill alway has been there, but putting a bit more weight on would definitely help.

“It was really good to get on the end of a couple. My teammates had the confidence in me to go back from 50 and slot it.”