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ANATOMY OF A DEBUT — LEWIS YOUNG By Lewis Young
![](http://www.aflplayers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/lewisyoung.jpg)
Playing my first game on Sunday was a surreal experience, and is something that I’m still coming to grips with.
Like all kids who grow up playing AFL and idolising their heroes, it’s something that was always a dream and something that I worked incredibly hard for. To do it, however, is another thing altogether!
Despite being so young and turning 18 just 11 days before the end of 2016, I had my heart set on being selected in the 2016 draft, knowing that 2017 could be a fall-back option if I was to be unsuccessful.
My tender age meant that a lot of clubs looked at me as a developing player who could be good in a few years so snapping me up in 2016 would provide another year of development in the AFL system, so I don’t think it was a negative.
But it wasn’t until a week before the draft that the possibility started to become a reality. Prior to that I was just hopeful.
Looking back at everything, I couldn’t be happier to have landed with the Western Bulldogs, even if my parents were upset to see me leave home at such a young age.
Since moving to the Whitten Oval, I’ve learnt so much and have really bonded with the other young boys at the club. We all talk about relocation and what we’re getting up to on our days off and how we’re coping. It’s just nice to be able to have that release because we’re all going through the same thing.
As the season has progressed, I wasn’t sure if I’d debut or not, but my focus was just on playing strongly with the reserves.
My VFL form had been pretty good. I’ve moved around a little bit, starting up forward and then moving into defence. I did a lot of work with Rohan Smith and Jordan Russell to assist with my positioning in defence and that really helped me to get some form.
![](http://www.aflplayers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/youngvfl.jpg)
Then, the news I had been waiting for came last Thursday morning.
The match committee chose the team at 8:30am, and Rohan Smith came into the physio room and took me into his office.
There, Luke Beveridge, Rohan and Jordan Russell told me that I was playing. Then, Bevo announced it to the group later in the afternoon and everyone got around me.
I rang dad straight away. Rohan Smith told me that I needed to ring him immediately which I appreciated, so I ran over to my phone and gave him a call.
The next couple of days were a bit of a blur. Obviously, a lot of things changed with the build-up given I was playing for a new team — it was a lot more intense in terms of the scheduling of the day, but overall the morning of the game and in the week leading up I did all of the same things.
I didn’t want to change anything, I wanted to act as if I was just going into a normal VFL or under 18s game.
So I continued with my slightly weird pre-game ritual. I always get up and make myself an omelette, eat that, and then have a warm bath with some radox in it. That relaxes me and gets me in a good mindset before the game.
About 25-30 of my friends and family came over from South Australia, and the club set up all of the tickets for them which was a huge help. I even had some mates pile into cars on the Sunday morning as they commenced the drive over!
Despite having everyone in town, I did my own thing when it came to driving into the ground. I told mum and dad that I’d see them afterwards, so I left pretty early to ensure that I wouldn’t mess anything up when it came to carparks and getting into the MCG properly. I got there very early before the game because I didn’t know how to get in and was fearful of going in the wrong entrance. It was the first time I drove under the G’ so I gave myself plenty of time to acclimatise.
When I got to the ground I saw all of my teammates, they all came to me and wished me luck which was a nice moment.
Bob Murphy and Dale Morris pulled me aside at certain times to make sure I was fine and to provide some advice.
They kept telling me that it was my first game, and I would only get one shot at it, so when I ran out I should have a look around and smile and take it all in.
Earlier on, I spoke about how I’ve gelled off-field with the younger guys, but on the field it’s people like Dale, Bob, Zaine Cordy, Matthew Boyd and Easton Wood who have assisted me when it comes to my development as part of the defensive unit.
They’ve helped with my game plan work and getting my mental state right to ensure that I’m staying in the game at all times and to stop me from switching off and daydreaming.
If you watch closely yesterday, you would have seen the great leadership in the backline. There were a lot of times where I was out of position and Dale Morris and Zaine Cordy were in my ear telling me to move left or right which was needed.
Without that support, I would have really struggled out there.
Losing focus and daydreaming comes down to inexperience because I’m still learning the game and it’s also about focusing properly.
It’s such a long game and a lot of different things happen so you have to be thinking on your feet when it comes to defence, attack, when you’re going to the bench and all of those different aspects.
It can be overwhelming and it’s easy to lose focus. Having the right mindset at certain times is really important.
The game moves so fast so it’s difficult to remember a lot of what happened, but I guess I should talk about the mark I took.
The ball was just there and I ran at it and I happened to sit on Matty Suckling’s head which was exciting but also very lucky.
He put a photo on Instagram and joked that I posterised him which was funny, and nice of him to do.
After the game, all of my family and friends were in the rooms so I went over and had a good chat with them before I did my recovery.
We all then went out for dinner to a local pub on Spencer Street and we had a nice meal. I then stayed in the city with mum and dad and my sisters in an apartment and chatted and reminisced. I then had breakfast with my friends and family this morning which was nice.
Spending that quality time with everyone close to me is something I’ll never forget. You really can’t look too far ahead in this caper, you should take time to reflect and look back at where you came from. Those close to me will always keep me grounded.
For the moment, I’m just enjoying what happened yesterday and I’m going to lap it up while I can.
I’ll think about selection later in the week. I understand I’m still young and nothing comes easily in this game.
Decisions need to made and I understand that hard calls occur.
For now, I want to build on that first stepping stone.
Link
FFC: Established 1883
Premierships: AFL 1954, 2016 VFA - 1898,99,1900, 1908, 1913, 1919-20, 1923-24, VFL: 2014, 2016 . Champions of Victoria 1924. AFLW - 2018.
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Post Thanks / Like - 4 Thanks, 10 Likes
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Re: ANATOMY OF A DEBUT — LEWIS YOUNG By Lewis Young
What a level headed kid, so happy for him.
FFC: Established 1883
Premierships: AFL 1954, 2016 VFA - 1898,99,1900, 1908, 1913, 1919-20, 1923-24, VFL: 2014, 2016 . Champions of Victoria 1924. AFLW - 2018.
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Re: ANATOMY OF A DEBUT — LEWIS YOUNG By Lewis Young
The antidote to having to listen to the likes of Bernard Tomic.
Give him a two year extension now.
Rocket Science: the epitaph for the Beveridge era - whenever it ends - reading 'Here lies a team that could beat anyone on its day, but seldom did when it mattered most'. 15/7/2023
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Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 3 Likes
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Re: ANATOMY OF A DEBUT — LEWIS YOUNG By Lewis Young
Great read. Obviously a kid who doesnt get too far ahead of himself.
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Re: ANATOMY OF A DEBUT — LEWIS YOUNG By Lewis Young
![Quote](images/primus/blue/misc/quote_icon.png)
Originally Posted by
Topdog
Great read. Obviously a kid who doesnt get too far ahead of himself.
Yep... unless you hit the post from only 15m out
Western Bulldogs: 2016 Premiers
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Post Thanks / Like - 1 Thanks, 2 Likes
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Re: ANATOMY OF A DEBUT — LEWIS YOUNG By Lewis Young
Interesting he mentions Zaine Cordy as one of his teachers onfield ,shows how far Zaine has come in such a quick time.
Bring back the biff
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Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 2 Likes
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Re: ANATOMY OF A DEBUT — LEWIS YOUNG By Lewis Young
Also further highlights why having experienced players around is important in the development of these guys.
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Re: ANATOMY OF A DEBUT — LEWIS YOUNG By Lewis Young
![Quote](images/primus/blue/misc/quote_icon.png)
Originally Posted by
hujsh
Also further highlights why having experienced players around is important in the development of these guys.
Yep. Calls for Cordy to retire are maybe a bit premature.
Rocket Science: the epitaph for the Beveridge era - whenever it ends - reading 'Here lies a team that could beat anyone on its day, but seldom did when it mattered most'. 15/7/2023
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Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 1 Likes
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Re: ANATOMY OF A DEBUT — LEWIS YOUNG By Lewis Young
He's clearly a thinker and can communicate very well.
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Re: ANATOMY OF A DEBUT — LEWIS YOUNG By Lewis Young
![Quote](images/primus/blue/misc/quote_icon.png)
Originally Posted by
bornadog
What a level headed kid, so happy for him.
In a season where most things have gone poorly, it gives us something positive to look forward to following the debut of Lewis Young. You could not have wished for a better start to his career at just 18.
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Re: ANATOMY OF A DEBUT — LEWIS YOUNG By Lewis Young
Yet another well spoken, level headed young man who has heaps of potential as a player. Our Club's philosophy of respectable players you would not mind you daughter dating is holding us yet again in good stead.
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Re: ANATOMY OF A DEBUT — LEWIS YOUNG By Lewis Young
![Quote](images/primus/blue/misc/quote_icon.png)
Originally Posted by
josie
Yet another well spoken, level headed young man who has heaps of potential as a player. Our Club's philosophy of respectable players you would not mind you daughter dating is holding us yet again in good stead.
Yeah, nah. I dunno how pleased any of us dads are about that happy day...
Have you been reading those Roddy Doyle books again, Dougal!?
I have, yeah Ted, you big gobshite
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Re: ANATOMY OF A DEBUT — LEWIS YOUNG By Lewis Young
"....radox bath......."!! Sorry Louie but there is your nick name right there.
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Re: ANATOMY OF A DEBUT — LEWIS YOUNG By Lewis Young
![Quote](images/primus/blue/misc/quote_icon.png)
Originally Posted by
HOSE B ROMERO
"....radox bath......."!! Sorry Louie but there is your nick name right there.
Radox, I like it.
Have you been reading those Roddy Doyle books again, Dougal!?
I have, yeah Ted, you big gobshite
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Re: ANATOMY OF A DEBUT — LEWIS YOUNG By Lewis Young
I'm that old it was called electric soda and looked like a bag of ice when I was playing.
Problem was if you got in the bath to quick and it hadn't dissolved it scratched your bum.
Bring back the biff