New Freo forward Tom Emmett has had to battle more than most to make it on an AFL list.
In 16 he was diagnosed with cancer, then as he was hitting his straps as an 18-year-old and getting the attention of Fremantle's recruiters, he suffered a serious achilles injury.
Such challenges made juggling life playing for Sturt in the SANFL and his career as an accountant easy, as the 20-year-old continued his pursuit of his AFL dream throughout 2022.
On Tuesday night, the eve of his 21st birthday, Fremantle pounced on the 187cm forward with pick no. 41, the Club’s second selection in the 2022 NAB AFL Draft.
“It’s crazy playing footy all your life and you dream of this moment, for it to actually happen is just unbelievable,” said Emmett.
“I didn’t invite anyone over because I was just trying to keep my expectations low."
To Emmett, the cancer setback only made him even more determined to made the most of his opportunities.
“It was when I was 16 just about to turn 17, I got some unfortunate news but I had a really good support network and I was able to overcome it,” Emmett recalled.
“It was in that time that really changed my perspective on what I really wanted to do and I really loved playing footy.
“That was always my goal when I was going through that type kind of journey, I just wanted to get back and play footy and I really had the belief and passion that I wanted to play AFL.
“I’m a pretty determined person so it just enforced the fact that’s what I wanted to do.”
Emmett started season 2022 in the SANFL reserves before making his league debut in Round 6.
Developing into a powerful and physical target in attack, he became a constant threat in front of goal and kicked 15 goals in his last seven games of the season.
“I’ve always thought I could get drafted but this was the year my footy kind of backed up my hopes and that belief really came,” said Emmett.
Fremantle Head of Player Personnel David Walls said Emmett’s challenging journey was part of the attraction.
“He’s had cancer and an achilles setback and he has absolute resilience,” said Walls.
“We liked him back when he was 18 and he showed a bit then but then he injured his achillies.
"By the end of the season for Sturt he was hitting the scoreboard regularly. He’s super physical, just a bull who loves tackling, chasing and can take a good contested mark.”
Emmett believes he is well prepared for the rigours of an AFL career after juggling work, study and football in 2022.
“I work three days a week and do full-time uni,” said Emmett.
“An old coach of mine, Nathan Grima, said playing SANFL is harder than being on an AFL list because you’ve got to work as well as study as well as other stuff.
“So its taught me little life lessons, but I’m just excited to start playing footy at the Dockers.”
The now 21-year-old will head West in coming days to continue his amazing draft story.
“Because it’s such a strong list that’s just going to drive me so much harder,” he said.
“It’s a strong, young list that just has so much potential. A young group fighting for spots is only going to mean one thing and that’s everyone playing their best football to try be in that team. It’s going to be an amazing environment to get into.”
Stoked and shocked - Davies now a Docker
Pick no.33 - Hugh Davies
Pick no.41 - Tom Emmett
Pick no.42 - Max Knobel
Pick no.57 - Corey Wagner
