Classy Western Jets ball-user Judah Dundon learnt a lot about himself while spending a significant part of 2016 on the sidelines.
The 186cm Werribee Districts product missed the first three rounds of the TAC Cup season with a stress fracture in his right fibula and then the final seven weeks of Western’s year after suffering the same injury in his opposite leg.
In between, Dundon averaged 19 disposals and four marks per game as well as kicking six goals in eight TAC Cup matches playing mostly as an outside midfielder.
taccup.com.au talked to Dundon at the recent NAB AFL Draft Combine, where he was unable to participate in physical testing as he recovers from his leg injury.
How have you been selling yourself as a footballer to AFL clubs in interviews at the Combine?
“My strengths lie in the outside game, and my kicking especially – also my ability to go forward and back and play on a wing at stages. So I’ve been trying to sell myself as a really good kick and someone who’s really versatile.”
What is the strangest question you’ve been asked by an AFL club?
“One of the weird ones was to count down from 505 by sevens – also, spell ‘aardvark’ backwards.”
What parts of your game do you know you’d need to work on if you were drafted?
“I think my contested ball needs significant improvement, as well as my opposite foot. Right now it’s good, but to be an elite player I think my right-foot kicking has to be at the next level.”
Which AFL players do you particularly like to watch and model your game on?
“I model my game on (Western Bulldogs’) Lachie Hunter a lot. I think his left-foot ability is really good and he’s a really well-rounded player. I think my left foot resembles his a bit and if I have half the career he’s had so far, I’ll be a happy man.”
How do you think your year turned out relative to your pre-season expectations?
“I didn’t expect it to go as quick as it has, but I’ve really enjoyed it even though I’ve had adversity along the way. I’ve been able to be in environments such as Vic Metro for a while there and train and play with some really elite players.”
What have you learnt about yourself during your time on the sidelines this year?
“I’ve learnt that I’m a pretty courageous person with the two injuries I’ve had. I’ve also been able to stay relatively positive. I also think I’ve learnt that I’m really good at readjusting my goals – sometimes your big goals don’t happen and it’s time for you to reassess them. Being cut from squads (like Vic Metro), having injuries and missing out on things, I’ve had to do that at times this year. Achieving little goals (instead) is something I’ve improved on and I think it’ll hold me in good stead for the future.”
What do you think was your best performance of the year individually?
“I got a chance to be captain for one game (a win against Oakleigh in Round 10) with certain boys playing nationals and enhanced my leadership qualities there. It was probably one of my better games of the year (24 disposals, 11 inside-50s, five tackles, two goals).”
Talk about why you think your teammates at the Combine are so highly rated.
Oscar Junker and Daniel Venables: “They’ve both had pretty good years, playing nationals and Dan getting an All Australian gig as well. I think he’ll be happy on November 25th when that comes around – hopefully Oscar as well. To become really good mates with them is probably what I’ve taken most out of this year and hopefully we can be mates wherever our footy careers take us.”
If you weren’t possibly going to become a full-time footballer, what would you be doing in life in the next few years?
“I want to go to uni and get a teaching degree, probably secondary teaching. A lot of the coaches I’ve had over the years also have teaching backgrounds as well, so if I want to get into coaching later on in my life, I think teaching is a really good transition job for that.”
Who’s your tip for the no.1 NAB AFL Draft pick?
“I’m going to go for (Sandringham’s) Andy McGrath. I think with the qualities and the talent he has, he’ll be a really good no.1 pick.”
Other Draft Watch profiles:
Joseph Atley - Bendigo Pioneers
Josh Begley - Eastern Ranges
Josh Battle - Dandenong Stingrays
Daniel Venables - Western Jets
Alex Witherden - Geelong Falcons
Patrick Kerr - Oakleigh Chargers
Ben Ainsworth - Gippsland Power
Andrew McGrath - Sandringham Dragons
Todd Marshall - Murray Bushrangers
Patrick Lipinski - Northern Knights
Hugh McCluggage - North Ballarat Rebels
Jack Maibaum - Eastern Ranges
Kobe Mutch - Bendigo Pioneers
Mitch McCarthy - Dandenong Stingrays
Jordan Ridley - Oakleigh Chargers
Sean Darcy - Geelong Falcons
Last Modified on 21/11/2016 14:46
