South Australian draft prospect Cooper Murley has revealed the unusual question being asked by Gold Coast recruiters, and how he was lucky enough to dodge it.
Murley is a light-framed forward who can run through the midfield, and appears likely to be selected in the mid-range on draft night.
He represented his state in the U16s, the same year he won All-Australian honours, compelling him to believe he could one day play AFL.
While the 18-year-old has a lot of class about him, he first had to get around some curly questions from club recruiters.
“I’ve spoken to 17 out of the 18 clubs, the only club I haven’t spoken to is Brisbane,” he told Sportsday SA.
“I’ve actually been really fortunate, I’ve heard about some of the dodgy questions in the past and have been quite nervous to answer them myself, but I’ve actually been really fortunate and haven’t actually been asked too many weird questions.
“I know this year earlier on, in the AFL Academy trip up in Melbourne, some of the boys were being asked by Gold Coast what’s something that they don’t want them (the club) to know about them, so that word got around quite quickly and all the boys were trying to think of answers they could give.
“When I got to that interview they asked me what was something that I wanted them to know about me, so yeah I’ve been quite lucky in that department.”
How did Murley respond to the change of question?
“I think the main thing for me was my resilience and how humble I am, I think that’s two personal traits of mine that if someone was to describe me I’d hope they’d use those two words,” he said.
“So that’s what I told them.”
Murley was also asked the player he’s modelled his game on, and said he hopes to one day emulate a pair of Power and Tiger stars.
“Zak Butters has been someone I’ve tried to focus on, it’s a shame that he’s spent most of the year out injured as well,” he said.
“Shai Bolton is (also) a massive one that I’ve tried to watch this year and really tried to model my game on as an elusive small forward who can also get short periods in the midfield as well.”
The AFL National Draft will be held over two days on November 24 and 25, with the rookie and pre-season drafts to be held a day later.