Sunday, July 31, 2016

When Sam Petrevski-Seton graduated from Clontarf Aboriginal College at the end of last year, he knew he would need something to occupy his time away from football in his draft season. Through a connection at Claremont, his WAFL club, he was offered a full-time job cleaning cars at a Lexus dealership.

It sounded OK; he thought he could earn a bit of money and keep his body and mind busy during what loomed as a big year.

But his choice of employment has created issues. At the start of May, the speedy prospect tweaked a hamstring playing in Claremont's colts' side. He missed three weeks, but came back and played 60 per cent game time against Perth and was starting to feel himself again. Then another hamstring injury struck. It loomed as another three-week problem, but stretched to seven as he struggled to get on top of the strain.

Working on his feet and bending over to scrub the inside and outside of cars didn't help. Neither did the fact he had to work until the last car was cleaned at 5pm, meaning he often arrived late for training (he missed four Friday sessions in a row because of work duties) and couldn't find time to head to a physiotherapist for extra sessions to get the injury right. He cut Fridays out of his working week, and finished his other shifts at 4pm to get to training, but the injury flared up again. It was then, two weeks before the national carnival, he decided to put footy first.

"I went in with a bottle of wine to say thanks to my boss, and gave the staff an insight into why I had to quit to focus on my footy and my body," Petrevski-Seton says.

"They understood the next six to eight weeks were going to be really important for me and that I'd been having trouble getting over the hamstring and back injuries."

Time to focus on footy: Sam Petrevski-Seton. Picture: AFL Photos

The injury meant he missed the first two games of the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, reduced from six matches last year to four this year for division one states. He was close to playing in the first game, and even closer in the second, but differing medical opinions saw him sit out both. Having doctors from his club and state and national academy squads assess the injury led to some confusion.

"I should have had just one assessing it, because I had a lot of information coming in," he says. "But I also saw it as a test from them. I think they were trying to make me responsible for my recovery and getting back as soon as possible."

Petrevski-Seton got back for Western Australia’s third game, against the Allies in Perth, and he performed solidly with 19 disposals from 75 per cent game time.

His second game – and the state's final of the championships – was a step up. Petrevski-Seton was the best player on the ground in the first half, showing his pace, class and creativity. He faded after half-time, but closed with 18 disposals, five inside-50s and a goal. He was pleased, but not overly. "Injuries are something you've got to face. I can't grumble about them," he says.

Petrevski-Seton showed his class for WA in the NAB AFL Under-18 championships. Picture: AFL Photos

He has played three games for the Claremont colts since the carnival finished, his form gradually improving with each. He is aiming to finish his season at WAFL level for Claremont. "It's been disappointing that I haven't been able to do that. It's a bit confusing, to be honest, because I feel like my form has been good enough at times," he says.

The post-championships period has been a busy time for Petrevski-Seton, and not just because he's back on the field. It is generally when recruiting teams begin to ramp up their home visits and interviews. Claremont's bye two weeks after the carnival gave Petrevski-Seton the chance to head back to Halls Creek for the first time since January. He took it, and Fremantle's recruiters followed him.

Just being honest

Petrevski-Seton is viewed as the most gifted West Australian available in this year's draft and a genuine top-three contender, and the Dockers' struggles this season see them holding pick seven. He is in their thinking. They sent a team of four scouts to Halls Creek – including recruiting manager David Walls and list manager Brad Lloyd – and stayed two nights in the small town. They chatted with Petrevski-Seton's parents and then the teenager, who took them out to local fishing and hunting spots.

"I told them I'd be more than happy to go to Freo. I'd appreciate any opportunity, but I'd love to be drafted by a Melbourne club," he says.

Petrevski-Seton had the same response when the Brisbane Lions recently interviewed him. The Lions recruiters wondered how he'd go living away from Perth. Petrevski-Seton, who grew up barracking for the club, said that wouldn't be an issue – he has lived away from Halls Creek for four years and managed fine. But what most appeals to Petrevski-Seton is playing in a big footy state like Victoria. He knows he doesn't really have any control over where he goes, but wants to be honest when the question is asked.

The most gifted West Australian in this year's draft would prefer to head east. Picture: AFL Photos

"I'd be happy to move east and face a new challenge. I'm hoping to go to Melbourne, which is the home of footy. That's where I'd go if I could choose," he says.

"Visiting some of the clubs there with the NAB AFL Academy in recent years has opened my eyes to what it's like to be a part of a big club. We went to Essendon's facilities one day and they are huge.

"For me, to come from Halls Creek, I really cherished walking into an AFL club like that. It made me think of the people back home missing out on what I'm seeing."

The Bombers were keen to catch up with Petrevski-Seton's parents, and had a coffee with them while they were in Perth during the national carnival. Essendon is tracking for its first wooden spoon since 1933 after losing 12 of its players to season-long anti-doping bans, but can offset that disappointment by claiming the No.1 pick. Petrevski-Seton may be a contender for that selection: "It's as much a waiting game for me as anyone else in the draft," he says.

Recruiters, though, are focusing on him. They agree with his assessment that his season probably hasn't bettered "OK", and that injury has prevented him from reaching the heights they think he's capable of. But a big finish to the year could see him rise back into favouritism for the No.1 selection.

"We know what he's capable of, but he just hasn't got there this year," one scout said. "Has his preparation been as good as possible? Has he cruised a bit through the year? That can happen to top players in their draft year if they've shown they were ready to be picked a year earlier. He has to finish well."

In action for the NAB AFL Academy in a season which failed to better 'OK'. Picture: AFL Photos

Thursday, October 19

BROKEN bottles and rocks are scattered around the Halls Creek basketball court. The backboard at one end has been spray-painted with graffiti, and the other's coat of white paint is covered in hand marks from attempted slam-dunks. Neither ring has a net. Sam Petrevski-Seton sits on the side of the court watching seven of his friends and older brother Cody shooting hoops. It is 5pm and warm, but they will need to move on somewhere else soon. "The lights are busted," says Petrevski-Seton.

With his season finished and the NAB AFL Draft Combine completed, Petrevski-Seton headed home last week. He went via Fitzroy Crossing, a town in the Kimberley region about 300km west of Halls Creek. He met his family there and they spent the weekend on a cattle station his grandfather recently retook ownership of. They went camping, spent time at the river, caught barramundi and chased wild cows.

"I was seven the last time I was there. It was good to go back and see the cattle station, which brought back a lot of great memories," he says. "Dad was keen to get me there before the draft. My grandfather got the cattle station back four months ago and we wanted to see how it was looking.

"The trip was a chance to create a few new memories before I start footy again. I got into Halls Creek earlier this week and it's been good to see everyone."

Petrevski-Seton has another 10 days in Halls Creek – this weekend he is off to a rodeo in Fitzroy Crossing, "just to watch" – before he heads back to Perth to prepare for the NAB AFL Draft in Sydney on November 25. Everyone he bumps into at home asks him which AFL club he will be playing for.

"Sometimes I think they believe I know and just don't want to say, but I really don't know what clubs are thinking. I wish clubs did tell you if they liked you, but it doesn't work like that."

After November 25 this year, Petrevski-Seton's football future is unknown. Picture: AFL Photos

Petrevski-Seton can at least be pleased his season ended on a good note. He strung together consistent games, and finished the year averaging 24 disposals in 12 matches for Claremont's colts. He was excellent in the second semi-final win over Perth to place his side into the Grand Final, and although he was tagged at different stages of the premiership-decider, he finished with 21 disposals to skipper the side to the flag.

"After the national carnival I came back and they voted me as captain for the rest of the season. I've really learned how to communicate with people better this year and speak more clearly. Being captain has been good for that," he says.

The following week he travelled to Melbourne to play in the NAB All Stars game – a contest featuring nearly 50 of the country's best under-18 prospects. Petrevski-Seton's good form continued and he gathered 23 disposals and a game-high eight tackles in front of a large crowd on AFL Grand Final eve at Punt Road Oval.

The four-day NAB AFL Draft Combine at Etihad Stadium was Petrevski-Seton's final test of 2016. He ran 3.01 seconds in the 20m sprint and 8.54 seconds in the agility test before a corked leg saw him sit out the beep test and repeat sprints. He returned the following day for the 3km time trial and ran 10:32 minutes, a personal best. He was pleased to have improved in that area after some recruiters had questioned his fitness during the year.

Petrevski-Seton with the bit between his teeth at the NAB AFL Draft Combine. Picture: AFL Photos

A test also came during the interviews at Etihad Stadium, with Petrevski-Seton chatting to around half the clubs. Most asked why he had failed to play a senior game for Claremont, particularly given he expected to be in the side from the start of the season and had featured at that level last year.

It was a frustration of Petrevski-Seton throughout his campaign, but he came to grips with not playing any WAFL in his draft year. "Overall, it wasn't a great year and I really wish I had a full season without injuries. It wasn't to be," he says.

A local reunion

Between the All Stars game and the Combine starting the following Thursday, Petrevski-Seton spent a few days in Melbourne with fellow draft prospect – and Halls Creek export – Cedric Cox. Cox and Petrevski-Seton went to kindergarten together in Halls Creek, and attended the same school until year nine, when Cox headed to Perth. Cox shifted back to Halls Creek in 2014, when he met Camperdown reserves coach James Castles, who encouraged him to move from the Kimberley to Victoria's south-western region.

Petrevski-Seton remembers Cox's pace and skills being used off half-back and on the wing for the Halls Creek Hawks in the juniors, and that is where Cox has made his mark this year. He was spotted playing for Camperdown, and also impressed for the North Ballarat Rebels in the TAC Cup. His swift rise was rewarded with an invitation to test at the Combine, and he looks likely to be drafted.

An aerial view of dry and dusty Halls Creek. Picture: Shire of Halls Creek

In their days together, Cox and Petrevski-Seton wandered through Melbourne's city, checked out Williamstown beach and stayed at the apartment of their manager, Stride Sport's Matt Bain. One night, they cooked barramundi like they do at home.

"I've known Cedric for ages. In junior athletics we'd compete against each other every year and sometimes I'd come in first and the next year he'd get me," Petrevski-Seton says.

"For him to go to Victoria when he did and adapt to that lifestyle was a big challenge. I'm very proud of him and what he's done. He's in Halls Creek at the moment, so it's good to be here while he's up, too."

Halls Creek product Cedric Cox in action at the 2016 NAB AFL Draft Combine. Picture: AFL Photos

It is hard to know when both will be back there again. Petrevski-Seton still hopes to be drafted by a Melbourne club. But the chances of that grew slimmer through the AFL trade period. Only four of the first 18 picks are held by Melbourne clubs: Essendon (No.1), Carlton (No.5) North Melbourne (No.11) and the Western Bulldogs (No.18).

Wherever Petrevski-Seton heads (it is still expected to be inside the top 10), he has set his mind on a long career. He wants to show young indigenous people that anything is possible.

"I want to make something of myself. A lot of people have told me there are boys up here already looking up to me, and when they're on the footy field they yell out, 'Sam Seton!' and pretend to be playing AFL," he says.

"I was shocked to hear that. But I want to show young kids it can be done. You've just got to work hard and sacrifice a lot of things to get where you want to be in life. I can't wait."