Calder Cannons’ Mitchell Podhajski has a nervous week ahead before finding out whether he’s done enough to get himself on an AFL list for next season.
Podhajski’s name has been mentioned as a possible draftee, but the man himself isn’t sure whether it will happen or not.
“Straight after the combine it was a really weird feeling – there’s nothing more I can do,” he said.
“I’m starting to feel pretty nervous …sometimes I think I’ve done enough and other times I’m not sure.
“I’ve got my VFL options sorted if it doesn’t work out.”
Podhajski started the year looking to cement his spot in the Cannons side after playing eight games last year, and he did exactly that.
He finished third in the Cannons’ best and fairest and was named in the TAC Cup team of the year.
Podhajski said he was happy with how his season panned out.
“I got into the squad and I trained hard and I put on a bit of size,” he said.
“I didn’t limit what I could achieve this year. I didn’t set my goals too high and I was keen to reach those goals.
“I progressed each week.”
The first goal for Podhajski was to make the Vic Metro squad and play at least one game – which he did.
With still half a season left after the national championship, Podhajski wasn’t going to rest on his laurels.
“There was still a long way to go in the season,” he said. “I wasn’t happy to settle with that and would have regretted not pushing myself and continuing to play well.”
As the season wound down Podhajski continued to work hard ahead of the national combine and aimed to bring down his two kilometre time trial.
He said the combine was an unusual situation.
“For me it’s probably the only chance I will speak to clubs. They know what my performances are like, so it was about impressing them with my personality.
“I thought I did well.”
The 18-year-old, who is studying at university, said if he doesn’t get selected he won’t be giving up on his dream of playing AFL just yet.
“I’ve already put in how many years and I’ve worked really hard since under-16s and especially the last 12 months.
“I’m not going to drop the bundle if I don’t get picked up this year. There’s still plenty of years to go.”
