The full transcript of the member Q & A with Will Phillips, Tom Powell, Charlie Lazzaro and Eddie Ford.

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Heath
G'day North fans and welcome to the members Q&A. We've got Eddie Ford here. We've got Will Phillips. We've got Tommy Powell and Charlie Lazzaro, all joining us for a Q&A. Your questions have been sent in and we're going to kick it off straight away. First question from Paul Moon. For each of the young fellows, what's been the biggest shock or surprise you've encountered since being at North Melbourne. Tommy, we'll kick off with you.

Tom
I think the biggest one for me would probably be an on-field challenge, which is just the speed that everything's played at. So, teammates, the opposition on game day, everything's just so much faster than what I'm used to, so that's definitely something on field that I guess has been a big surprise to me.

Heath
How about for you Will?

Will
Yeah. It's a good point, Powelly. So, I'll just get my cat out of the video. Yeah. The biggest surprise for me is probably how important your... I was shocked at how important your balance and your time away from the club actually is, and how much of an impact it has on you. Yeah. We have a lot of spare time as footballers. In any job you get spare time but I feel that as footballers it's really key that we maximize that and use it to our advantage, so that we come to the club ready to train and play.

Heath
Eddie?

Eddie
I think one of the biggest surprises to me was the amount of time they'd be in the vision and in meetings and stuff. So, coming from where I played footy previously, we never did really a lot of vision and just a lot of walkthroughs and talk through stuff to manage the game. Just all the stuff upstairs is probably the newest thing to me.

Heath
Go for it, Charlie.

Charlie
Yeah. I think similar to Eddie, I think just the deep analysis of opposition and the way we look at different structures and exploit deficiencies in the opposition's game, trying to show us how we can win. I think that's probably been the biggest surprise for me coming into the North Melbourne footy club.

Heath
Okay. Next question is from James King, and he's curious to know who are the senior players that have taken you under their wing the most? So, we'll just go around the room in that same order and maybe just name a player that's been the biggest influence in what they've actually taught you. Just like a quick fire, bang, bang, bang.

Tom
Yeah. I'll start. I think for me, Cunners has been someone that's been really good to learn off. He is a similar but different player to me. He's super strong and big body of stoppage, so it's good to learn how to play against someone like that, but also what you can do to beat him, I guess. So, he's someone that's been really good to learn off and his wisdom because he's been at the club for so long.

Will
Same as mine there Powelly, but there's plenty of them and for me it's probably Tom Campbell. Last year I played backer with him, the first two rounds, and I was lucky enough to play with him last week. And he is actually a bit of a fatherly figure for me, just the why he supports you when he sees you. Yeah. He just really gets around to everyone and makes a conscious effort to do that, and I really admire that about him.

Eddie

Yeah. I was going to say Tommy as well. He is quite an intelligent man. So, yeah. Just being around him, he's good to be around. And I think anything he says is pretty useful, especially around footy. I've played a few games with him as well and he's been really good for me. So, yeah. Him too.

Charlie
I'm probably split between two. I'm going to say Robbie Tarrant and Jy Simpkin. Robbie, because I think he's probably taken a few of us first years under his wing, and really tried to develop us, not only on field but off field. I think he's got really strong leadership skills and tries to look out for us first year boys. And I think, secondly, Jy Simpkin, because I feel like from the very first day I walked into the club, he took me under his wing and I feel like I was just trying to keep up with him the whole preseason, and trying to do everything I could to do drills and different activities with him. But I think, yeah. He's been really good for me.

Heath
Because we've got three of you guys that obviously play through the midfield a fair bit, and Tommy, with you saying with Ben Cunnington being someone that's taken you under his wing, can I just ask you all, if you actually had time playing on him during training and what's it actually like to try and bring him down in the contest?

Tom
Yeah. I'm sure all you guys have seen that vision of me with the stiff arm and then photos of Charlie copping it as well. There's not a lot you can do, but I think that we just to try to play to our strengths, which is not engaging with body contact with him and just trying to play him from behind.

Heath
Michael Cox has asked, understanding that things can change over time, but at this point in time, do any of you guys have leadership aspirations? Obviously it's pretty early for you guys, but do you think that one day you might work your way into the leadership group and then maybe one day be a skipper of North Melbourne?

Tom
For me at the moment, I just train, focus on one day at a time. I don't look too far into the future. I just like to more lead by my own field example. I'm not the most vocal person at training, but I understand that you don't need a title to be a leader, so we all be leaders at some stage after we get a few games under our belt.

Eddie
I think leadership is a pretty broad term. It's a lot to do with the way you carry yourself naturally. And I guess my approach is just to be the best person and the best leader I can be. Each time I engage in someone or step onto the track, there's no tangible goal that I hope for, in terms of captain or boss, captain or leadership group or whatever. But it's just about constantly having that vision to be the best you can be for your teammates in the club.

Heath
Charlie, there's a question here from Keith Payne. Do you feel intimidated playing at AFL level or do you feel empowered to just do what you've always done, and that's obviously play footy?

Charlie
Yeah. I think there's probably... There's both aspects of that I think, playing at AFL level. I think obviously coming in there's some big names around the competition and there's some players that have been playing for a really long time, and they're certified superstars. So, you still pinch yourself I think, every now and then. You run out, I know, against the dogs, there was certainly a lot of very, very good footballers playing that day. And I think there is an element of intimidation, but I think when you get drafted there's certainly an understanding that you're good is good enough. And I think it does empower you to become, or it forces you to become, confident in your ability. And I think over the preseason all us first years have really knuckled down and had really good preseasons, and I feel like that's probably setting us up for hopefully a really bright future.

Heath
Okay. Amelia King wants to know if anyone's got advice on how to make it to AFL, or in her case, AFLW level. She also wanted to say you're all amazing players and you make her feel excited for the future, and she loves you all. But, yeah. Any advice on what to do, I suppose, a junior player that's vying off the list on an AFLW or an AFL spot? Eddie, what did you do? What were the things that you did?

Eddie
I think for Amelia's case, just to work hard I think. Using your resources around that you've got, your coaches and stuff to gradually get better and play AFLW. Footy can be a lot of in the mind as well, just to get mentally strong to keep following week in, week out. But, yeah. I think the main thing is just a lot of hard work. If you rock up to training, not really doing it with a purpose, well then you won't go nowhere. But if you have a purpose and want to go to training, you want to get better, then you will. So, just keep working hard.

Heath
Cool. Steph Cross says, can you give the members an inside club perspective of, I suppose the level of excitement you feel as young players and what the future might hold for not only yourselves at North Melbourne, but for the club? We all know we're rebuilding at the moment, you guys are the foundation of that, but the level of excitement that you all feel about what's going on at North Melbourne and what the future might hold. Tommy?

Tom
I think for me, we all don't really know any different than, I guess, playing together and playing with excitement. So, all us young boys, we just train how we train and I think we naturally create a bit of excitement for the older boys. So, if we're training hard and using our voice, it means that if the young boys are doing it, they've got no choice but to, I guess, follow in our footsteps indirectly. So, I think that's it from me.

Heath
Charlie? Does the future of the club excite you, knowing that you guys can make it whatever it is to be?

Charlie
Yeah, absolutely. I think Boomer said from day dot that this first year groups a group within a group, and I think there's a lot of exciting football exists in the first year, let alone with the talent we've got on our list. I think being such a young group, there's so much to look forward to, and I think the fans and everyone that is a member of North Melbourne should be so excited for not only the rest of this year, but for certainly what's to come. I think we're building towards something really special, and I think you guys should come on the journey with us.

Heath
Well said, man. Terry Franklin, you might be able to answer this one as well, because Terry Franklin was just wondering about how many days a week do you guys train and how does football in general-

Heath
How many days a week do you guys train and how does football in general affect your private life, if you have time for one that is? And I suppose on the back of that, I might get you all just to sort of mention, because there was a lot of supporters were wondering what you guys do outside of football as well. So Will, if you can answer that question, then we'll just go around the room and ask what you guys do outside.

Will
Sorry, what was the first part of your question again, Heath?

Heath
How often do you train and pretty much just how much time you actually spend at a club, like in any given week?

Will
Yeah. So if we play Sunday to Sunday, I worked it out the other day, it equals about 26 to 28 hours, depending on whether you want to get there early or stay there late afterwards to do some extras. So that's how long we spend. Of that, there's probably two main days where we get there at around eight or nine or somewhere around that and go til like two, three, four. Us first years, we probably have a few more commitments with the AFLPA, don't have families to get home to, so we probably stick around a little bit more, as do the young players, the other players as well. So yeah, but the two main days. I guess we do one of them is a main training session and then the other one is sort of a lighter session. But in between all that there's a bunch of meetings, there's injury preventions, weights, recovery lunch. Yeah. There's so much that we can be doing.

Will
And the second part of that question, I'll answer that now. So do we have a private life? Yes. What does it look like? It's different for everyone. So for me, I'm a bit of a social bug. I probably haven't worked out what my number one hobby is as such just yet, so yeah, I guess for me, that's socializing. Yeah, I often catch up with people every day, whether it's after work or on my day off. And yeah, that's my number one sort of hobby. And I try and spend time with people who don't nail me about footy either, because you spend time with so much time at the club talking about footy and how you going and how the team's going and your performance and everything that your sort of just want to get away from it a little bit. So whilst I still spend time with people who ask me those questions, I also make sure I'm spending time with people who give me a bit of a release from the club and from footy. Yep.

Heath
What about you, Eddie? What do you have as an interest outside of football?

Eddie
I play the guitar. So I picked that up five years ago and I enjoy doing that every now and then, when I've got home. And yeah, also just hanging out with the boys and getting out and doing fun things like playing tennis or something, just taking it easy, enjoying life.

Charlie
Telling jokes.

Heath
Jokes? You got one for us, Ed? He's thinking about it.

Eddie
Who can drink five liters of petrol? Terry can.

Heath
Nice. I'm glad you kept the G-rated as well. Thanks for that. Charlie, outside of footy?

Charlie
Yeah, I think I'm similar to Will and Eddie, in a sense. I love catching up with my friends. I think it's so important to have obviously mates that don't fluster you about footy all the time. It's such a vital thing I think I've learned more so than I already had in the past that during your days off and during the year, it's so important to catch up with people that take your mind off footy and make sure you balance out your footy with your social life with your friends. And although it is work, we love doing it, but we still want to have to catch up with our friends and see our friends. And normally on a day off, rain, hail, or shine, you'll probably see me at the beach. So I love the beach. And obviously growing up down in Geelong, having access to Torquay, Lorne, Anglesea, yeah, I've always loved the beach.

Heath
Surfing or sun baking? You didn't clarify.

Charlie
I'm not a great surfer, so I'd probably sun bake more to be honest.

Heath
Tommy, what about you out of footy?

Tom
Yeah, I also, as these boys, I do like to socialise. I don't have as many outside of footy friends in Melbourne yet as I'm from SA, so it's good for me to keep in touch with those people back in Adelaide, whether that's just giving them a phone call or playing video games with them. But I'm mostly at uni, so dedicate a bit of time each week to do that. Just part-time at the moment because obviously footy is my number one priority, but I'd like to keep continuing with my degree and just have it ticking in the background. So I do that and then I like watching all sports, playing a bit of golf, tennis as Fordy said. And I catch up with my girlfriend a bit.

Heath
Yeah. Cool. You did make me think of something before Eddie, when you said you played guitar. And that is this one's a question from me about nicknames. What is your nickname at the club and why?

Eddie
My nickname is Elvis, like Elvis Presley. That's because I had sideburns when I first walked into the club.

Heath
What happened to them? What happened?

Eddie
I just haven't had them for awhile. I just grow them, keep it clean shaved. I've got this stuff going on here but for some reason it's not very well received.

Heath
And the earrings as well, interesting, interesting.

Eddie
A bit of Elvis about me, I don't know. So that was Jy, he came up with that.

Heath
And it stuck?

Eddie
It stuck pretty well, yeah. I'll take Elvis. I respond to it, so yeah.

Heath
Good. Charlie, your nickname?

Charlie
Yeah. So I was similar to Eddie, first few days Jy pulled me aside and decided to start calling me lizard. Not exactly sure the origin of that, but it has stuck and I'm happy to go with it. So nah, it's been good.

Heath
It's because of the last name maybe, or...

Charlie
Yeah, I think it might be a bit to do with that. I can't imagine any events that had happened that made me get that nickname. So I hope it's the last name.

Heath
Joey, do you have anything?

Tom
Some of the boys call me slide, which is my PlayStation username. It's not actually slide, but it's something else, but they just don't read it properly.

Heath
Jacob Marazita - have the dietary and types of food that you're allowed to eat since being drafted changed, and is there anything that you guys miss eating or drinking since becoming AFL footballers and things sort of becoming more... sort of tightening up, I suppose, in that respect? Charlie, you're nodding away like there is something that I miss eating.

Charlie
Yeah. I've always loved KFC. I've had to cut back on my KFC. But I think throughout... as a junior, I was pretty tenacious about what my approach to footy, and I tried not to eat too much bad stuff. But obviously you got to reward yourself sometimes and KFC's a great hit if you haven't tried it out there.

Tom
Are you sponsored by them or something?

Charlie
Nah, no sponsor, just like KFC.

Heath
McDonald's is a good sponsor of North Melbourne by the way, so could have slipped that one in there.

Charlie
Ah, should have.

Heath
Tell me, is there anything that... does it change from a dietary perspective? Because obviously you guys need to find your energy for training and games. So I know pre-game meals, heavy in carbs and all that sort of stuff.

Tom
Yeah. Yeah. I probably shouldn't say this, but I'm not the best person to ask about the diet stuff. I was actually surprised when I got to the club that John had told us that basically in the off season, you can eat what you like, and after the game you can eat what you like, because the amount of exercise we do, we're not going to put on weight too easily. But it's important obviously in the lead up to the game what you eat. But during the game, we have a lot of electrolytes. I ask for lollies but get refused consistently. But nah, nothing... I haven't changed my diet a whole heap, if I'm being honest.

Heath
Okay. And is there anything that anyone misses eating, while we're at it? Eddie or Will?

Eddie
Krispy Kreme donuts.

Heath
Krispy Kreme donuts, okay, yeah. Joha would have a heart attack if he heard that.

Eddie
Yeah, he would kill me. Wouldn't be nice.

Heath
Jimmy Door, welcome to the club fellas, hope you've enjoyed your starts at North Melbourne. Have you all been through much of the Shinboner history and what it's all about and what are your thoughts on how you'll be continuing that spirit into the future? Will?

Will
Yeah, Shinboner history. We sit down with Gavin Brown and Boomer Harvey every two or three weeks and they give us little tasks. We've had like a homework task where we had to research a bit about the history of the club. We were given a task, another task where we had to call some of the former players that wore our respective numbers. So I had to call, yeah, the other guys that wore number 29. Unfortunately, I didn't get a response. I'm not sure about the other guys, but yeah, it's a pretty big thing the Shinboner history, isn't it? But yeah, I think my jumper, put on my jumper on game day sort of reflected that I have such pride for the Shinboner spirit. And yeah, it's something that just... it just came to me in the moment, but yeah, it's something I'm proud of.

Heath
Nick Honeywood wants to know what each of you has set as individual goals from now until the end of the season. So Charlie, do you want to go first?

Charlie
Yeah, I don't think there's anything too specific, Nick. I think for me, it was more so just about playing as many senior games as I could. I think if I look back, I know I had a chat to Steve, our psychologist, last week just about saying how far I'd probably come in 12 months. I really feel like I've come on leaps and bounds, considering I played three games of football last year at all. And then to come out and say that I've played rounds one to four, it's pretty special. So, for me to just knuckle down, keep doing what I'm doing, being able to play as many senior games this year as I can. And hopefully, the rest takes care of itself.

Heath
Eddie?

Eddie
Yeah, well I haven't done anything too specific either, I think just trying to play a few games this year, would be nice. Try and crack in to a team, almost... Not cement, but always be in consideration to play the best 22 each week. At the moment I'm just playing VFL, and trying to put in some good performances. But I think that's my goal for the while.

Heath
Tom?

Tom
Yeah. If I'm being honest, I don't really set goals, often. I don't like to look too far into the future. I guess, right now the only thing I want to do is get my first win with the Kangaroos. So, that's probably the only goal, which isn't specific to me, I'm sure the boys want to win. But like I said, I want one.

Heath
Will?

Will
Yeah. Similar to Tom. I don't like to look too far into the future and set specific goals. Because then if something happens, you have to change it. And I don't like things changing. I think, for me, I just take it week by week and try and stay present as possible. And that gets me to ultimately the point where, hopefully, I'd reach my potential. I think, maximizing or reaching my potential is the ultimate goal in life, as a player and a person. Yeah.

Heath
Hussein Carol Kulak wants to know, who did you guys support as kids. And he also put in brackets, that you won't be judged on your answers. Tom-

Tom
Yeah. I'm sure I'll be judged, but I used to go for Gold Coast. I basically followed Gary Ablett. I've got to meet him as a youngsters. So, Gold Coast ever since then.

Heath
Okay, Charlie? Oh, sorry. Go Eddie, go.

Eddie
I was a Saints fan. So, I grew up with them. Dad follows them but most of the family's [inaudible 00:24:18].

Heath
Charlie?

Charlie
So, I've always been a Geelong supporter, coming from Geelong . But that stems somewhat Pa's brother played for Geelong . And yeah, I've always been a Geelong supporter until obviously being drafted by North. And it's Royal blue and white through and through now.

Heath
So, your grandfather's brother played for Geelong? What was his name?

Charlie
So, his name was Frank Pomeroy, so it's not a Lazzaro. But he played, I think, 50 senior games for Geelong. Yeah. So, that's a little bit of history there.

Heath
Okay. Will?

Will
Yeah. I was born into a code family, so they love the black and white up until, probably, last year. When I knew there was a chance to get drafted, I stopped really backing for them. Yeah.

Heath
Well, okay. A couple from Twitter now. So, the index tracker on Twitter. What do you say is the biggest strength, and then what's your biggest weakness in your game right now? And second question, who did you rate as the best player in your draft? So, Will you can start. Oh, hey. Just before we go. Apparently Charlie, Rob Burton, who's the head of digital here, just pass this on to me. Apparently, your grandfather's brother played for North Melbourne.

Charlie
Did he?

Heath
10 Games for North Melbourne in 1964.

Charlie
There you go.

Heath
Before he went... That was at the end of his career. So, he started Geelong in 1959, and finished at North Melbourne in 1964.

Charlie
There you go. It's in the blood.

Heath
In the blood. There you go. All right. So, we'll go back to that question from the index tracker on Twitter. So, what's your biggest strength? What's your biggest weakness? And who is the best player in your draft class? Go, will.

Will
Biggest strength; maybe my inside work, my ability to win the ball in [inaudible 00:26:18] distributed it cleanly to my teammates. I don't really like the term weakness. I'd probably call them areas of improvement.

Heath
Growth areas.

Will
Yeah, growth area. That's a good one. Probably marking. Haven't really done much training on marking. And it's pretty rare when I take a contested mark. Might need to do a bit on that. As far as the draft, it's hard to say that now. A lot of the media [inaudible 00:26:49] around, and get them caught up in that. But I think we'll know, probably in 15 years, who the best player in the draft was. But ultimately I don't think he can ever really know, because they go in different teams, they lead different lives. But Tamara was, probably a worthy number one, considering what he did in his [inaudible 00:27:09], it's pretty exciting.

Heath
Eddie, strength, weakness, best player in the draft?

Eddie
One of my strengths is my area of contests. So, contrasting Will. I'm a bit taller than the blokes here. Yeah, probably my aerial stuff. And one of my areas of improvement, probably, just visioning. As a forward, I find myself in some odd opposition sometimes. So, just make sure I get that all correct and good. I don't know. Will Phillips, is a pretty good player.

Heath
Right. Yes. Tommy?

Tom
Yeah, that's the right answer, Eddie. My strength, would probably be my decision making. I think that's something that has helped me as a junior. I'd like to think. Yeah. Make good decisions on the field. An area of improvement for me would probably be my strength, and my body work around stuff. I'm still quite lean. So, just being smart with how I maneuver my body around stuff, which is really important. Especially, for all us young players, but me personally. And then the best player in the draft; I didn't play with the majority of them. So, I can really only speak from the SA boys so far. But Riley Thilthorpe was very good.

Heath
Yeah. Yep, Charlie?

Charlie

I think, the major strength in my game would probably be speed and skills. I feel like I can use the ball reasonably well. Definitely an area for growth, would be my marking. I think transitioning into the AFL system as more of a wing-forward, than an inside-mid, as a junior. I think being a strong overhead mark is something really vital for my role. So, hopefully can improve in that over the coming years. And then I think the best player in the draft... I could never really go past Will. Always admired the way he went about his footy. I think we've played against each other from under 11s. Or with each other from under 11s, all the way through the State stuff. But I also really like Reef McInnes, from Collingwood. He's a very good player.

Heath
Okay, cool. Mr. Elwood on Twitter; wants to know just how you guys are coping with the losses of the early season, so far. So Tommy, being out there, we've been smashed a couple of times. But showing some good things, but it's been difficult. How do you cope with that?

Tom
Yeah, I don't know. I don't really think about it too much. I know there's a lot of noise, externally, around the footy club. But I try to focus on the team, and what I'm doing in it and not really worry about other things. It was really enjoyable playing the first three-quarters of the game, where we were super competitive. And bring haste of excitement and energy. So, I think we've shown we can do that. And the more we can do it, the more enjoyable it might become, playing.

Heath

Yeah. Cool, cool. Bradley Wood on Facebook; if you're 15 to 20 years down the track... This is going to go against your philosophy though, Tommy, about thinking too far ahead. But what do you want to be remembered for in your footy career at North Melbourne?

Tom
For me personally, I'd just like to be remembered as a great teammate, and someone that you always loved playing with.

Heath
Yep. Charlie?

Charlie
I think similar to Tommy, you do definitely want to be remembered and recognized as a really good teammate. But I think from the moment I came into the club, I always had the aspiration to play 200 games. I think that's been something, at the back of my mind, for as long as I can remember. And I think if you're able to play 200 solid games of AFL Football, everything else takes care of itself. And hopefully there's a few premierships along the way for the North Melbourne supporters too.

Heath
Will?

Will
Yeah, probably similar to the other guys. Just a great teammate and someone who looked out for other people. And someone that was themselves, wasn't afraid to be themselves. That's pretty simple.

Heath
Eddie?

Eddie
Yeah. Just being remembered as a great teammate. Someone that the boys like playing footy with. And someone who can always be counted on. As well as, hopefully win a couple of premierships. That'd be the ultimate dream and end goal for us, I think.

Heath
Cool. Flash Nicole on Twitter wants to know about Kanga-Lotto. Who out of this talented quartet has fallen foul of this wonderfully funny game? Will, you just put your hand in your face, so, we'll go to you first.

Will
Yeah, it wasn't really wonderfully funny.

Heath
Of course it was.

Will
Had to shave my head. And for the first Kanga-Lotto, when they did it, I was actually at home, sick. So, I spent a week at home. And yeah, received the news via Charlie on Snapchat.

Heath
So, for those who don't know, it's basically a lotto where if your name gets drawn out, you have to shave your head, essentially.

Will
Just glad I didn't have to tip my hair. Because, that's been one in the past.

Heath
Did you have it too Tommy, or do you just decide to do that yourself?

Tom
That's classic Heath. I tried to cut my own hair and it went pear shaped, and I had to get the barber to fix it. So it's pretty short at the moment. But it's all right, it will grow back.

Heath
We've got some specific ones that we'll just race through now, for you Will. So Gus Brown wants to know, being such an in and under midfielder bull, which past or present player would you compare your game to? Or would you like to be like?

Will
Good question. Last year when I was being asked by recruiters, I suppose, Lachie Neale or Joel Selwood, because Lachie Neale was going well at the time. But he is still good.

Heath
Peter Solcyan says to you Will, we all saw you grabbed the jumper after kicking your first goal. Congratulations. It was an emotional sight for supporters. If you had to pick one thing, what do you love the most about North Melbourne?

Will
What do I love the most? Clubs that are built on people and the people at the club and the command in the way it has on it. It's very down to earth and grounded and that historical part of it as well, like we recognize and appreciate the history and where the people who at the club before us have come from.

Heath
Ryan Maher said obviously taking into account that the Victorian boys missed a whole year of football. So how far off from AFL standard with diet and training, were you pre- draft do you reckon? Coming into the system and seeing what's required? How far off?

Will
Probably, I like to think that I was pretty professional, especially last year when I had to force myself to train and to set myself habits and goals in isolation because I had no one else there, or no structure to do it for me. So, I wasn't like too far off the pace, but there was some things that I definitely needed to adapt. I think just according to what I was told and the way it works at all.

Heath
For you, Tommy, Josh Bosner, he's likened you to Simon Black. How has the transition from South Australia to Victoria been? And what advice would you give other South Australians that might be making the move in the next draft or even if they get traded across the other Victorian clubs?

Tom
I think the most important thing to do is just be open-minded. I think I'm a pretty independent person. So I'm with the host family at the moment and they've really helped me to find my feet. So you meet people once you get there and all the Vic boys there, they're decent blokes. Like the Essendon boys are, I guess, but I don't know, I think you get so immersed in the footie club and you enjoy your time so much that you won't forget about your family, but I guess you won't sit there and dwell on them all day.

Heath

Okay. Now for you, Eddie. Daniel Ketchley, away from footy, what's your biggest motivation in life and how do you go about achieving this? By the way I reckon your debuts very near. That's what he says.

Eddie

Thanks Daniel. I think one of my motivation of life, as for most people as well, is just to be the best person they can. I think if the footie takes care of itself and that's obviously a big motivator, but outside footie and what you're doing there is also great motivation too. I think it just being the best person you can. Doing all the right things to fulfill that. That is very important too. So not only will it benefit you, but benefit people around you just be a good person.

Heath

For you, Charlie. From Adam Marinello, you've clearly got speed. Has this been something you've always had through your junior life at school and did you do athletics or anything like that? Have you always been quick as a kid?

Charlie
Yeah. I was always reasonably quick as a junior. I'll feel like I was lucky that took up athletics from a really young age. And I did that all the way through until the end of year 12, really with school, sport and school athletics. And it's something that I probably wish I took a bit more seriously as a junior. I feel like I probably could have competed at maybe a higher level as a younger kid, but obviously footie was my number one priority and I really enjoyed obviously doing athletics, actually in college, against Wilford, Corfield and some of the other boys that you crossed paths with. But it was really good.

Heath
Did you beat Will?

Charlie
I don't know whether we beat Will. I think we raced off in a 4x400 relay together once. I don't know. I think Corfield probably got the better of us to be honest.

Will
I can't remember, Charlie ran more races than I did. He was an 800m runner, which is probably not my strong suit.

Heath
Adam Marinello just has a follow-up question. He's a great supporter of the club. Who would you say the best runner at the club is?

Charlie
It depends what event, Adam.

Heath
Endurance?

Charlie
Jy is the best. And I remember the first few weeks of pre-season when we had a few little scratch games, you try and keep up with him and you just grow. He's one of those players that just grinds you down and eventually you're just absolutely knackered. But in terms of speed, I'd probably say Steve-O or Phoenix Spicer. Those two are absolutely rapid. So I'd love to see a 100m race of those two against each other. That that'd be really good to watch.

Heath
Absolutely. Well, boys that wraps it up. I want to thank you all for your time in answering questions from the members. It's really important that we engage with the members and getting questions direct to you guys, pretty special for them as well. I imagine so. Thanks to you guys. Thanks also to the members for sending in the questions. We'll have heaps more of these forums coming up throughout the year, but boys have a great afternoon. Good luck on the weekend. And thanks again.