IT'S GOOD to know that even when you ask footballers about some of their favourites from when they were growing up, their faces still light up with excitement.
That was the case back in February when, on the Blues' team photo day, a number of players and AFL Senior Coach Michael Voss were asked about the Indigenous players they loved watching most when they grew up.
Some of them were former teammates, while otherwise were childhood heroes.
This is what they had to say.
Michael Voss
“I’ve got many. I’m fortunate that I played with a few.
“Michael McLean who I played with at the Brisbane Bears, Daryl White and Chris Johnson are three that really stand out for me. They all bring different qualities, but ‘Magic’ McLean was the first player that became a real mentor for me and a father figure to me.
“He taught me a lot about growing up but also the Indigenous culture and respecting his background and where he’s from. He was an incredible player to play with and a great man to be alongside.”
Jesse Motlop
“I won’t say the obvious answer! I’ll probably go Adam Goodes.
“The way he went about it on-field and off-field was pretty special and inspirational. He won two Brownlows and two premierships and was Australian of the Year. You can’t doubt his character and the way he went about it on-field was just as special.”
Would your dad be pretty flat about that?
“He knows he’s my favourite. He’ll be alright!”
Patrick Cripps
“I’ll go one I grew up loving when I was a kid: David Wirrpanda. I loved him: he used to rip out a torp from full back. When you used to go to the footy at Subi, we used to pray that he’d bring out the torp. He used to do these one-handed pick-ups and was so clean on both sides of his body, he was pretty cool to watch.”
Corey Durdin
“My favourite player would be Eddie Betts.
“I got to play alongside him, have a year under him and just to meet him outside of football and get to know him as a person was really special. He’s a genuine human and an even better footballer: you can’t go wrong.”
Zac Fisher
“I think earlier on, it was David Wirrpanda for the Eagles. In my playing days, probably Eddie Betts: he’s a very special player.”
Jacob Weitering
“We’ve had a lot of talented Indigenous players at Carlton especially: I got to play with Andrew Walker and Eddie Betts.
“But I guess I can be slightly biased and a bit of a soft decision here. The respect I had for [Liam Jones], he turned his career around and turned his life around to become one of the best key defenders in the game.”
Ed Curnow
“Ronnie Burns. I grew up going for the Cats - who I hate now - but Ronnie Burns, I loved listening to him on the radio as a junior.
“Obviously I model my game on Ronnie! He was a hard-tagging midfielder that pushed forward (laughs). Nah, he was a legend and so exciting to watch. He loved a goal.”
