Fisher inspired to follow in Grandfather’s footsteps

Sam Fisher NAB AFL Draft Combine at Etihad Stadium on October 07, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/AFL Media)

Canberra’s Sam Fisher has dreamed of an AFL career since he was a kid.

With his grandfather, Ken Duff playing for Geelong, it has always been a goal to follow in his footsteps. “Obviously playing with Geelong back in the VFL days, my grandfather has been pretty influential on my AFL career.”

Duff and his family moved from Geelong to Canberra where he played with the Ainslie Football Club. Fisher also played his junior football with Ainslie Football Club “ having played at the same club during my juniors as my grandfather was great. He has been at nearly every game of mine since I started playing.”

The Ainslie product received some valuable advice from his grandfather going into big games. One being the NEAFL grand final where Fisher joined the GIANTS for their victory over the Sydney Swans “he said keep it simple and play your role for the team, as long as you do that the rest will work out for itself.’

In July, Fisher was invited by 5 or more AFL clubs to the NAB AFL Draft Combine where he underwent an extensive range of physical, medical and psychological tests. “My grandfather was stoked. He’s a massive footy man, so it was huge for him.”

Although the midfielder didn’t perform as well he had hoped, Fisher still has a positive attitude going into the draft in November, “I didn’t perform up to where I would have liked. I could have tested better. There was no reason, I guess it’s just how it happened on the day.”

“In many of the tests I think I performed average, its not ideal but whatever happens happens.”

Fisher believes his grandfather does a good job on keeping him grounded and preparing him for the possible disappointment in the draft “He’s obviously really happy and proud but he doesn’t want to be too overwhelmed with it all incase I don’t get drafted.”

“To be put on any club’s list he would be absolutely stoked, he would be that happy. In saying that if that team happened to be Geelong, it would mean the world to him.”

With all the uncertainty that comes with the draft, Fisher knows one thing is for certain “I don’t have any plans yet, but I know I will be sitting next to my grandfather.”