New Freo ruckman Liam Reidy couldn’t think of a better place to start his AFL career than being able to learn off some of the stars of the game.
Taken in Wednesday’s rookie draft, Reidy and fellow ruck draftee Max Knobel add depth behind Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson on Fremantle’s list.
The 22-year-old Reidy had to take the long road to an AFL list and is eager to get to work over the summer.
“If you’re going to learn off some AFL ruckmen, I think those are the pick of the bunch,” Reidy said.
“I definitely want to get in there and learn a couple of tips, I look forward to speaking with them and training with them.”
Reidy had the chance to compete against AFL-listed ruckmen after switching from the forwardline for Frankston in the VFL this season, including Ivan Soldo, Callum Coleman-Jones, Callum Sinclair and Matthew Flynn.
He’s taken confidence from those contests as he looks to start an AFL career of his own.
“I felt I fared alright for what was my first season as a ruckman,” Reidy said.
“Obviously there’s a lot of room for improvement but I felt like I was definitely in that ball park and held my own.”
Head of Player Personnel David Walls credited Reidy for his rapid development over the past 12 months, making up for lost time through the later parts of his junior career.
“Liam didn’t come through the traditional pathways as he was injured for a lot of his 16, 17 and 18 years, so he didn’t play in the Sandringham Dragons programs,” Walls said.
“He’s grown into his body, he’s put 18kg on in the last three years, so he’s 204cm and 102kg. He’s a big man who’s done a lot of work.
“Playing down at Frankston, he’s just got better and better each year. He’s got a lot of scope to develop and a lot of improvement left in his game.”
Reidy said adding weight was a big focus in his work off the field, all while juggling life as an apprentice electrician.
“I set myself the goal three or four years ago that this was something that I wanted to give a real good crack at and that starts with my body,” Reidy said.
“(Because of the injury setbacks) it felt like I didn’t really belong at that higher level, not coming through the TAC Cup levels.
“I always felt like a little bit of a misfit almost, but getting good games under my belt gave me confidence and I kept on building from that.”
immediately, but also has significant scope to develop his game further in an AFL environment.
Stoked and shocked - Davies now a Docker
Hardship only made AFL dream clearer for Emmett
Pick no.33 - Hugh Davies
Pick no.41 - Tom Emmett
Pick no.42 - Max Knobel
Pick no.57 - Corey Wagner
Rookie draft - Liam Reidy
NGA duo added as rookies
