By Tara Murray
Daniel Mott has achieved all the goals he set himself at the start of the football season, but the biggest one still awaits.
After a standout top age year with the Calder Cannons, Mott is hoping he will be drafted by an AFL club next week.
Mott said it had been a good year after ticking a lot of boxes he personally wanted to achieve.
“I wanted to be in the leadership group at the Cannons and I was named vice-captain, which was the first goal,” he said.
“I’m really proud to get that.
“The next goal was to play consistently for the first four rounds and put my name up there for Vic Metro selection, and I did that.
“I was lucky enough to play all four games for Metro and I was really happy with that.
“To put yourself out there on the biggest stage in front of all the recruiters, shows that you can play.
“After that, finishing off the season playing well, to get to combine, completed my goals.”
Mott said it had been a really good year with the Cannons, with his consistency a key to his performance.
He said for him, it was making sure he was well prepared for games and being ready to go.
“I thought it was really consistent,” he said. “I focused on giving the same input every week and coming to play every week.
“As a team we did really well and probably exceeded all our expectations. I really enjoyed it, it was a lot of fun, I’m sure all the boys from the Cannons would say the same thing.”
Mott’s strong form with the Cannons was rewarded with the opportunity to play with Vic Metro at the national championships.
He played all four matches for Metro and got to test himself against the best midfielders in the country.
“I feel like it was a great experience and you’re not going to get better unless you play against players that are as good as you or better than you.
“So it was a good opportunity for me to play against the best players in the country, line up on blokes in the midfield, like Caleb Serong.
“You learn off them, I really enjoyed those couple of months.”
Personally, Mott said his biggest strength was his work around the stoppages and the contested ball, as well as his ball use by both hand and foot.
“You want the ball in my hands when you’re going forward.”
Since the football season finished, Mott has been busy with year 12 studies.
He said it was new for his school, Brunswick Secondary College, to have someone juggling football and year 12.
He also attended the AFL draft combine.
He said as well as the chance to impress recruiters, the combine gave him opportunities to make new friends.
For the Richmond supporter, if his name was to be called out next week at the draft, it would be a dream come true.
“Footy has always been the dream, ever since I was a kid I’ve wanted to play footy,” he said. “Anywhere would be great, I’m not fussed if I have to move interstate.”
