In an emotional post-game interview from Sunday’s clash with Port Adelaide, Tom Emmett spoke of the support that helped him overcome significant hurdles to make it to AFL level.
The 21-year-old shared his debut with four friends who travelled over from South Australia in the stands who had stood by his side and raised money for his cancer treatment when he was 16.
After beating cancer, Emmett was told by a doctor that he might never run again when he sustained a serious achilles injury when he was 18.
When Emmett took his first career shot on goal in the second term, he said he briefly reflected on how far he’d come.
“It’s unbelievable, I can't describe it,” Emmett said in the Final Siren Podcast with Duck and Oz.
“As a kid growing up, I've always imagined kicking my first goal and how that would feel.
“When I was walking back (for the set shot) I was actually thinking about what an opportunity I've got here and to actually kick it was awesome.
“I had four mates that came over, they were there by me when I was sick for so long and they did all the fundraisers.
“When I finally got through all that I had an Achilles injury, the doctor said some people that play sport can never run properly again.
“To be able to come back and actually get to this moment, it's something that all my friends and family, they wouldn't have thought it was going to happen. For it to actually happen is amazing.”
Emmett said he tried to embrace the moment to not get too overwhelmed in his first taste of the AFL.
“It's awesome to actually run out with those boys,” Emmett said.
“You sit in the stands and you kind of dream about doing it.
“All the boys told me to soak it in and really try and enjoy it, because a lot of people obviously stress about it.
“That's what I really tried to do and then once the game starts, you just play footy.”
Emmett said he wants to model his game on small forward Lachie Schultz, who has been one of the AFL's best for pressure inside 50.
“The physicality and the pressure are my strengths, pretty similar to Lachie Schultz as well,” Emmett said.
“I watched a lot of his vision we've got pretty similar brands that we play.
“Those blocks, shepherds and that pressure, that's what the coaches really reward and that's what they love. That's my role.
“I was super lucky to end up with two goals but the tackles the perceived pressure, the shepherds, that's what the coaches really prioritise and love.”
Why there's lots of love for Tom Emmett
Serong's reluctant patience
Power down Freo in high pressure battle
