Brayden Fiorini used an early-season snub from Vic Metro as the catalyst to kick-start his 2015 season.
After initially being left out of the Metro squad, the Northern Knights midfielder set himself the target of getting in.
“It was a good challenge and a goal I set myself,” Fiorini said last week. “I didn’t make the first squad. I trained really hard and knew that if I performed well I could be added to it.”
Fiorini, 18, ended up playing three games for Metro in the national carnival and put his name in front of AFL recruiters.
In 13 games with the Knights, he averaged more than 30 possessions.
“It was a bit challenging juggling school, footy and work,” he said. “But it was really exciting and it went so quickly.
“I started the season a bit slowly, but the Vic Metro games gave me more confidence.
“It was a good experience and a bit different from [his first season with the Knights] and I took on more of a leadership role.”
Fiorini also looked at how he could develop his game.
“One of the negative knocks on my game was contested football,” he said. “I had to improve on it if I wanted to be drafted.
“I played different positions to help develop that.
“I’m still known as an outside player, but I can now go into the middle.
“My strengths are my decision-making, reading the play and kicking skills to help set up play.”
The growth of Fiorini’s game saw him invited to the national draft combine.
“Playing AFL has always been my dream,” Fiorini said.
“The combine was mentally draining and when I got home I went straight to bed.”
The Diamond Creek resident hasn’t had much time yet to think about the November 24 draft as he finished his year 12 exams only last week.
He’s looking at doing something sport-related at university next year.
“It’s a bit nerve wrecking and a bit exciting,” Fiorini said. “I just want it to happen.
“I’ve been focusing on school and the girlfriend has been keeping me calm.”
He said he had spoken to most AFL clubs in the lead-up to the draft.
“It was pretty daunting but I got used to it,” he said.
“It was sort of like a job interview and there were a few left-field questions. Now I’ve just got to wait and see.”
