The disappointment of missing out on making the Vic Metro squad spurred Calder Cannons Patrick Said for the rest of the season.
It led to him finishing second in the Cannons best and fairest and he caught the eye of enough AFL recruiters to be invited to the state draft combine.
Said reflected back that missing Vic Metro selection proved to be a good thing in a way.
“I got off to a bit of a slow start the first couple of games,” he said. “Missing out on metro drove me to keep improving and focus on what made me a good footballer.
“I worked on being more confident. I know I have the ability to play well and I had to get to work.
“About round four, I started to hit my straps. I played pretty well for the year. I was pretty consistent after that.”
That consistent form led to second place in the Robert Hyde medal, the Cannons best and fairest.
It was an honour for Said which showed that the coaches valued what he was doing.
“The team had a really good year,” he said. “We played some really good footy and went on a seven game run streak.”
It was the second of two honours at the Cannons was Said this year. He wore the number 27 jumper this year which honours Corporal Cameron Baird, who died in the line of duty.
Players and coaching staff have the opportunity each year to vote on who best represents the qualities that are associated with Baird’s legacy to the program.
The Sunbury Lions player said it was a massive honour.
“To get that from my teammates, I felt the support from everyone in the team.”
Said was one of seven Cannons to test at the recent combine days across the girls and boys programs.
He said it was a really good experience.
“It was exciting but it was also a challenge and it made me show off what I could do,” he said. “It was a great experience and I could learn from a lot of the other boys and what they put in.
“I met with a couple of AFL clubs and had met with a couple beforehand. They ask you random questions that you normally wouldn’t think to ask.”
Being drafted would be a dream come true for Said.
He has played football since he was seven. The fact that clubs were speaking to him was an even greater motivator to keep going.
“My old man, my brother, my pop are all great influences in my footy,” he said. “Even watching my sister play.
“I’ve always had a bit of talent and I’ve done the extra sessions like yoga.”
If Said’s not drafted later this year, he said he would look to try and play in the Victorian Football League and continue his journey.
“I want to play at a highest standard I can,” he said. “AFL or VFL.
“I’ll look to keep on improving. Footy has been a big part of my life.”
