With the homesickness trend engulfing the AFL at unseen rates, Paddy Dow believes moving away from the comforts of his native town actually helped his progression on the path to the draft.
A Swan Hill product, Dow transferred to Geelong Grammar in Year 10. It has proved to be a move that not only advanced his football development, but also enabled him to find the all-important equilibrium between his life on and off the field.
“Going to Geelong Grammar has definitely helped for the balance of school and footy,” Dow said.
“Being at Swan Hill, I probably would have travelled too much and wouldn’t have had the time for school. Having the balance has helped by going to Geelong.
“The first few weeks were intimidating being a new kid, I didn’t know many kids, but after about a term, you get to know all the boys. You live with them, so you become brothers with them.”
Recent draftees have citied homesickness as a reason to seek a move to their original state, with 2015 number two draft pick Josh Schache the most recent example. However, Dow understands the competition’s national structure, and is prepared to play anywhere across the country.
He is also of the notion his experience will assist in any potential interstate relocation.
“It might a little intimidating at the start but you would get used to it and get into a routine,” Dow said.
“Anywhere you go, you’re playing footy, so it’ll be good fun. All the country kids seem to move anyway, so they’re already mentally prepared for it.”
Dow, whose grandfather played for North Melbourne, sees himself as a powerful midfielder at the next level and says that Sydney’s Luke Parker and Geelong champion Paddy Dangerfield are two players that he looks to model his game on.
“My best position is a midfielder who can run out of a contest and burst. I also like pushing forward for a rest and be lucky enough to kick a few goals,” he said.
“Probably my defensive pressure and defensive run could improve. I’ve been playing mid-forward so I play more attacking, so I could defend a bit more too.”
Inside Football Draft profile...
PADDY DOW
16-Oct-99 | 185.4cm | 78.2kg | Bendigo Pioneers
“Paddy is a ripper. He played only three games with us because of commitments with Geelong Grammar and the AFL Academy. He’s an inside midfielder who is a real contested ball bull and really impressive at stoppages. He went forward and kicked goals and did that for Vic Country. There was a knock on his kicking but that has improved.” – Bendigo Pioneers coach Ricky Coburn.
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