A host of footballers set to realise their AFL dreams are on the verge of “a whirlwind of emotion” as this week’s AFL Draft draws closer.
Those are the words that strike at the core of young Sydney speedster Ryley Stoddart when he revisits the moment the Swans threw him a guernsey at last year’s AFL Draft.
Sydney’s recruitment team will join all other 17 clubs at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium as the best young and mature-age footballers in Australia shoot for AFL contracts on Thursday and Friday.
The Swans selected Stoddart via pick 53 last November and the Eastern Ranges product has fond memories of the night he realised his childhood dream.
“It was a whirlwind of emotion that night,” Stoddart told SwansTV.
“There was nervousness, excitement, my mum was crying, she was happy and sad at the same time, obviously with moving interstate, and dad just said to me how proud he was of me.”
Stoddart last year became a Swan alongside fellow draftees Tom McCartin, Matt Ling, Joel Amartey, James Bell, Jake Brown and Angus Styles.
And the 19-year-old defender didn’t have to wait long to make his AFL debut, pulling on the red and white for Sydney’s clash with the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba in Round 10.
Stoddart kicked a goal in his introduction to AFL footy and received another shot at the big time for Sydney’s date with Carlton at the SCG the following week.
The Victorian, who played two senior games and starred in the NEAFL in his first season as a Swan, said making his AFL debut reignited memories of Draft night.
“My debut was similar in a lot of ways to how I felt on the night of the Draft. I was really nervous before the game but then once I was out there pure adrenaline kicked me through,” Stoddart said.
“And then kicking my first goal was just unbelievable. All the players came around and got to me. I lost my headband – I got that many headpats.
“But getting a win in my first game was huge. Just the feeling of how happy the boys are after a win is incredible and the Gatorade shower was awesome. I could hardly see anything and my eyes were stinging. It was such a great feeling. I’ve got the video on my phone and I watch it a fair bit.”
Of the seven youngsters who last year signed with the Swans as a draftee, only Stoddart and McCartin have received a taste of AFL footy.
As Stoddart winds the clock back to his first campaign in the red and white, the young gun recalls a season full of “some great moments, some great highlights and some great wins”.
And he has sound advice for those on the cusp of arriving at the SCG, highlighting effort and faith as key pillars that have underpinned his early days at the Swans.
“When you get to the Club just give it your all,” Stoddart said.
“Put your best foot forward right throughout the pre-season and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.
“They all told me there’s a reason I’m in the team – I’m a risk-taker and I run with the ball.
“Do what you do best and you’ll be fine."
