Collingwood utility Brody Mihocek has relived his lengthy journey from playing suburban and VFL football before being rookie listed by the Pies last year.
Mihocek’s story is one of persistence, having started off his football career in Tasmania before making the trip to Victoria to try his luck at making the big time.
The 25-year-old impressed in Port Melbourne’s stunning Grand Final triumph over Richmond last season, but his trek to get to that point was not a conventional one.
“It’s been a long journey,” Mihocek told SEN’s KB and The Doc.
“I moved over from Tasmania after my under 18 year with the Tassie Mariners, spent a year in Burnie and worked for a little while and saved a bit of money to come over here.
“It took me a few teams to get to Port Melbourne so I was at Maribyrnong Park (Essendon District Football League) for a year and Werribee for two years and then found a home at Port Melbourne, had a successful two years there and then ended up at Collingwood.
“When I was at Maribyrnong Park I was trying out at Essendon VFL and that didn’t work out so I knew I had Werribee still in contact with me.
“As soon as that year was done I knew I wanted try VFL and play seniors there.
“When Werribee went fully aligned with North Melbourne I decided it was time to end it there. When I went to Port Melbourne it was more about having team success and having a go at a premiership.
“The draft was in the back of my mind, I just wanted to go out there and enjoy my footy and it showed with the way I was playing.
“I reckon that’s probably why I ended up getting picked up because I was enjoying my footy so much.
“There were little thoughts here and there (about giving up on playing AFL football) but I just wanted to play the highest level I could.”
The mature-age recruit made his debut for the Pies against Fremantle in Round 11 and has emerged as a valuable option for Nathan Buckley's finals bound side both in defence or attack.
Listen to Collingwood utility Brody Mihocek’s chat on SEN’s KB and The Doc in the player below