Whether on or off an AFL list, Brady Grey has maintained a positive outlook during a challenging period for the young defender.
Both Grey and Josh Deluca were delisted by Fremantle in early October, but given the opportunity to continue training with the club with the possibility of being re-listed via last month’s NAB Rookie Draft.
Alongside a handful of first to fourth year players, Grey fronted up for training on 7 November and remained upbeat on the track.
The mindset has paid off for Grey, picked up alongside Deluca last Monday at the rookie draft.
“It’s been an interesting time for myself and my family, but I’m very happy to be back on the Fremantle list and we start the hard work again,” Grey said.
“The Rookie Draft goes a lot quicker than the National Draft, so you don’t have much time to be nervous, but I was sitting with Josh and we were both a bit nervous about what the outcome might be.”
“On the track I was basically just controlling what I could control, and that was just working hard and coming back from my ankle injury.
“I wasn’t going to leave a stone unturned in just training hard, and it worked out well for me and I’m glad to be back.”
Grey played two AFL games in 2016 and another nine for Peel before picking up a season-ending ankle injury against South Fremantle.
With the full squad back at training, Grey is training separately in a recovery group, and the Tasmanian is enjoying the camaraderie as the players drive each other on.
“It’s going really well, I’ve been out for a long time but I’m back running now and a couple weeks ahead of schedule,” Grey said.
“I’m looking to get back in the main squad after Christmas and really launching from there.
“I just want to get back on the track and train really hard, we’ve got a lot of guys come in this year and everyone’s very hungry, especially in the rehab group, we want to get back on track with the main guys, but we’re all pushing each other along and, hopefully, we can all get a game at some stage.”
