Fremantle’s Headline signing
Fremantle’s latest NSW Scholarship Holder Thomas Head will be drawing on the advice from Dockers’ skipper Matthew Pavlich in the coming years to ensure he runs out alongside his idol in two years time.
The 16-year-old from the Central Coast was scholarship listed with the Dockers after an impressive performance in the Joss State Zone Trials at Riverview earlier this year.
The news came as a huge surprise to the 195cm key position player who was in the middle of recovery when he found out he is one step closer to playing in the AFL.
“I was actually in the swimming pool doing recovery when they offered me a two-year scholarship with the Dockers. I got out and couldn’t keep the smile off my face – I was so happy,” Head said.
“Heading into the trials I was just hoping to play the best possible football I could, my aim was to be playing for the NSW RAMS and to progress from there, but this was a huge bonus to get offered the scholarship.”
The NSW Scholarship Scheme, which ended in July this year to accommodate the introduction of the Sydney Swans and GWS Giants Academies, will give the Dockers first choice to draft Head when he turns 18.
As a junior growing up on the Central Coast, Head was a state 200m runner and also finished eighth in high-jump for NSW.
Head met with his new teammates when the Dockers travelled to Sydney in Round 9 this year and spent a considerable amount of time with the Club’s captain, Matthew Pavlich.
“They took me down to the changerooms before and after the game. I got to have a chat to all of the boys and meet most of the players,” he said.
“I had a big chat to Pavlich at the end of the game – he gave me a lot of time actually, which is great. He just chatted to me about my footy and gave me a few tips which is really good.”
Head will travel to Perth for the first time in January next year when he undertakes a modified pre-season training with the Dockers.
Over the next two years, Head will play in the Talented Player Program (TPP) and the AFL Sydney competition while he receives advice and tuition from the Dockers’ coaching staff.
Head said the support of the TPP has been instrumental and is a key factor for the 17-listed NSW/ACT born players on AFL lists this year.
“Without the TPP I wouldn’t have been able to get the scholarship with the Dockers,” he said.
“I’m now trialing for the Under-18 side with the Northern Heat. I made the RAMS squad last year and just having the experienced coaches [Nick Stevens and Rohan Smith] there; all of their information and support has been so good to me and has developed me into a football player.”
Fremantle’s General Manager of Player Management Brad Lloyd said Head possesses an excellent mark, long kick and a strong commitment to his football.
“The Fremantle Football Club’s development team have put together a comprehensive development plan for Thomas which will give him the best opportunity to play elite level football,” Lloyd said.
