FOOTBALL
AFL
By samuel darroch
NICK Graham may have temporarily lost his trademark golden locks, but the Carlton midfielder found his feet in AFL football this year and is hungry for more.
Speaking to The Express back home in the Latrobe Valley during the AFL offseason, Graham lamented an end of season footy trip trim to his trademark haircut, but was hopeful it would grow back for his return to television screens across the nation should he break through as a regular Blues starter next season.
The 2012 Gippsland Power graduate and Morrish medallist was handed his first cap against Richmond in round 21, after missing the first half of the year through injury, and went on to play another senior match before season’s end.
The hard running midfielder collected nine possessions, held two marks and laid two tackles after coming on as a substitute on debut, and said the experience left him wanting more match time in 2014.
“It was unbelievable, obviously missing the first half of the year then Mick (Malthouse) giving me the nod to run out against Richmond who I used to follow,” Graham said.
“To come on as a sub, have a slight impact and win the game is something I’ll never forget so hopefully many more to come.” Nicknamed ‘Pussa’ for a likeness to his Gippsland Power coach and former Carlton star Nick Stevens, Graham shone in the VFL this season, averaging 27 possessions a game before stepping up to the top grade.
The TEDAS and Traralgon Tyers United junior said stepping in to the AFL had been a smooth transition thanks to help from club mentor Brock McLean.
“Our game is pretty similar so I work pretty closely with him and also Heath Scotland who had a connection with Nick Stevens, my coach last year (at Power),” Graham said.
“He took me under his wing a bit… I’ve got a really good relationship with a lot of the young boys so I’ll keep building on that and a few of the young boys (coming in) this year to make them feel welcome as well.”
Graham will be joined by former Power clubmate Sam Docherty at Carlton this year, who was traded from Brisbane to the Blues.
“The boys around the club have been awesome to me and really made me feel very welcome as they’ll do with Sammy (Docherty), so it’s all been smooth sailing for me,” Graham said.
With the 2013 draft to be held today, Graham’s advice for Power’s top draft hopefuls Josh Scott and Jack Leslie was to dive in headfirst should they get an AFL call up.
“I’m pretty close to those boys, we played last year together, made a grand final and lost by a point in that team so… fingers crossed they can get a look in at AFL level, they deserve it,” Graham said.
“The professionalism is a lot different but once you get in you’ll love it and if you follow instructions you’ll go a long way.
“Just keep calm really, it’s a pretty nervous time, if you do get picked up just hit it with all you’ve got, take all the advice you can on board and just have a crack.”
Graham said he was injury free at present and looked forward to a big pre-season.
