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Welcome to the Bulldogs - Ben Cavarra
Western Bulldogs pick Ben Cavarra — the most wonderful story of AFL persistence
This is the most wonderful story of football persistence from the 2018 AFL draft.
During his draft year, Ferntree Gully product Ben Cavarra was frequently told he was too short, too slow and too inaccurate by foot to make it AFL level.
But Cavarra never gave up on his AFL dream — and that dedication was rewarded on Friday afternoon when the Western Bulldogs gave him the opportunity of a lifetime.
The Bulldogs selected 22-year-old Cavarra with Pick 45 in the national draft after not just an excellent 2018 VFL campaign with Williamstown, but years of consistently high performances at both TAC Cup and VFL level.
In his draft year in 2013, Cavarra ran out of things to achieve.
He finished in a four-way tie for the Morrish Medal, the award that recognises the best player in the TAC Cup for the year. He represented his state in the AFL Under 18 National Championships and he won his second consecutive club best and fairest medal, after taking out the award as a bottom-aged player in 2012.
Cavarra was also captain of the Eastern Ranges — and he guided the club to a TAC Cup premiership. Oh, and by the way, he was named best player on the ground in that grand final.
Yet he was overlooked by every club at the 2013 drafts.
But instead of getting bitter, Cavarra got better at VFL level.
He linked up with Frankston for three seasons, playing almost every game and being named in the best players in over half of his games.
When the Dolphins folded, Williamstown pounced and signed Cavarra and turned him into one of the best small forwards in the VFL. In his two seasons with the Seagulls, he booted 66 goals from 40 games and won back-to-back Team of the Year selections.
Five years after originally being overlooked — and being on the fringe of a rookie selection in every year since — the Dogs have given Cavarra a chance.
He’s the perfect example for any AFL hopeful to never give up on your dream.
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 - 2 Thanks, 3 Likes
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Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs - Ben Cavarra
Shows an excellent attitude, I love the players who have really had to fight for their chance.
Ferntree Gully boy too
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Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 1 Likes
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Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs - Ben Cavarra
Originally Posted by
Murphy'sLore
Shows an excellent attitude, I love the players who have really had to fight for their chance.
Ferntree Gully boy too
Good things come from the deep East.
"It's over. It's all over."
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Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 1 Likes
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Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs - Ben Cavarra
Certainly fills a list need
Western Bulldogs: 2016 Premiers
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Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs - Ben Cavarra
Absolutely love the look of Ben, and the vision I've seen so far.
Follows in the path of Matty Boyd, Dale Morris and Liam Picken. I think we know exactly what we will get from this bloke.
You don't develop courage by being happy in your relationships every day. You develop it by surviving difficult times and challenging adversity. ― Epicurus
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Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs - Ben Cavarra
Ben Cavarra (Williamstown/VFL) 2.89 for 20m
That is lightning quick!
Western Bulldogs: We exist to win premierships
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Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs - Ben Cavarra
Originally Posted by
Greystache
Ben Cavarra (Williamstown/VFL) 2.89 for 20m
That is lightning quick!
That would be the #1 time for the Draft Combine this year and 2nd fastest last year behind Petruccelle (2.87).
I think the fact that Stephenson ran 2.95 really underlines how fast that is!
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Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs - Ben Cavarra
Originally Posted by
The Adelaide Connection
That would be the #1 time for the Draft Combine this year and 2nd fastest last year behind Petruccelle (2.87).
I think the fact that Stephenson ran 2.95 really underlines how fast that is!
And he came 8th in the yo-yo test. A player with his proven footballing ability at all levels he's encountered plus that athletic profile has to be a decent chance of becoming a quality AFL player.
Western Bulldogs: We exist to win premierships
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Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 3 Likes
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Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs - Ben Cavarra
A desperately in demand attribute. Let's hope he/us can actually utilise it.
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Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs - Ben Cavarra
Footscray Football Republic.
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Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs - Ben Cavarra
Finally we have drafted a small forward with genuine pace. Oh, and he knows how to kick a goal.
Happy with this. Great age profile for our list too
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Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs - Ben Cavarra
If you didn’t manage to listen to Ben’s chat with Sam McClure on SEN last night please do yourself a favour.
It was one of the better interviews I’ve heard on sports radio.
Ben Cavarra Post Draft Interview
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Post Thanks / Like - 6 Thanks, 2 Likes
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Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs - Ben Cavarra
Originally Posted by
Doc26
If you didn’t manage to listen to Ben’s chat with Sam McClure on SEN last night please do yourself a favour.
It was one of the better interviews I’ve heard on sports radio.
Ben Cavarra Post Draft Interview
Oustanding interview, very articulate. Seemingly against the odds he didn't get drafted in 2013 but persisted by adding to his skill set as a mid by developing forward craft, including forward pressure and efficiency. Has teaching quals but footy first.
Knows what he must do now: work his arse off and love it.
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Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs - Ben Cavarra
Originally Posted by
BornInDroopSt'54
Oustanding interview, very articulate. Seemingly against the odds he didn't get drafted in 2013 but persisted by adding to his skill set as a mid by developing forward craft, including forward pressure and efficiency. Has teaching quals but footy first.
Knows what he must do now: work his arse off and love it.
With so much negativity and privileged behaviour spoken about, Ben could not have articulated better the essence of what the draft period means, and moreso what this game means for us outside the fluff and noise.
For me, this ~13 minutes should be bottled and opened whenever we’re looking for some inspiration, or for those connected more closely to the game, simply needing a reminder of the privilege that it brings.
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Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs - Ben Cavarra
Originally Posted by
Doc26
With so much negativity and privileged behaviour spoken about, Ben could not have articulated better the essence of what the draft period means, and moreso what this game means for us outside the fluff and noise.
For me, this ~13 minutes should be bottled and opened whenever we’re looking for some inspiration, or for those connected more closely to the game, simply needing a reminder of the privilege that it brings.
Well done to Ben . An inspiration story of persistence and growth . Small foward with good goal sense and he has some attributes like agility and speed which are elite. In that age group of 22 year+ where we need them to come through and start cementing games
Good pickup and I hope he can smash it and play a heap of games in 2019.
Uncanny or just sheer serendipitous every time I see williamstown on footy his name always comes up on the highlights . I hope it’s meant to be !
Power comments on players coming through our develoPment program is a good sign and reward for all those involved