Q & A with Harrison Macreadie

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 27: Harrison Macreadie of NSW/ACT poses during the 2015 AFL Under 18 portrait session at Simonds Stadium, Geelong on June 27, 2015. (Photo by Michael Dodge/AFL Media)

 

Harrison Macreadie
Position: Centre Half Back
Local Club: Henty Football Club

Harrison Macreadie is one step closer to his AFL career dream. Macreadie has been invited to the 2016 NAB AFL Draft Combine along with 79 other players from across the nation. The Combine brings the best young talent to one place for a final round of testing, ahead of the the 2016 NAB AFL Draft in Sydney later in the year.  Macreadie will travel from Henty to Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, to be tested from October 6 to October 9.

How does it feel to be nominated by 5 or more clubs for the 2016 NAB AFL Draft Combine?
It is a privilege to not only be nominated by 5 or more clubs but to be invited to the combine. I am very excited but nervous. I’m grateful for the experience which it has given to me, I’m looking forward to it.

You will join 10 other NSW/ACT players, which is the highest ever invitees, is comforting to know that your teammates from the NSW/ACT Rams will join you?
This is a great achievement by NSW/ACT and the 10 other players, to be able go down to Melbourne for the testing. Having my friends along side me makes it that much more exciting, it will be another footy experience we have done together.

How did you think you performed through the 2016 NAB AFL U18 National Championships in both Division 1 and 2?
I thought throughout the championships I played well, but I could have had a bit more of an impact on the game and contributed more towards what the team wanted to achieve. I thought the NSW/ACT Rams and Allies showed very positive attributes and that we can match it with the other Division 1 teams.

What’s your preparation look like for important games or testing like the Combine?
Just making sure my body and skills are ready to go for Saturday. I make sure I’m doing extras at training like drills that help sharpen my skills or back at the boarding house taking more ice baths for recovery, anything that may give me an advantage come Saturday.

The clubs will not only watch you during the testing, but will conduct interviews as well, which one do you find more difficult?
The interviews are another important aspect of the National Combine, which allows the clubs to question you on your knowledge of footy, background and occasionally the trick question. The question I will probably struggle with the most is if they ask me to talk about myself, it’s a difficult one to answer.

You are the first person to be awarded a Scholarship to The Kings School on behalf of the GWS Giants, what has your involvement been with the Giants this past year?
It is a huge privilege to be given the opportunity to attend The Kings School and has provided me with a great education, independence and life skills. The skills that I have learnt this year will benefit me for my future. I have been involved with the NEAFL UWS Giants team. Attending school in Sydney has allowed me to be much closer to the GWS Giants and reduce the travel to NEAFL games.

How do you balance it all? Doing your HSC, boarding five hours away from your family, potential AFL career and trying to be a normal teenager?
It has definitely been difficult juggling school, footy and trying to be a normal teenager. I have such a great and supportive family back in Henty as well as support from the school and the club. They have made it a lot easier for me to focus on school and footy and pursue my dream of hopefully playing AFL.