Tyro shows AFL promise

This article first appeared in the Port Stephens Examiner

By Michael McGowan

Representing NSW/ACT at the recent NAB AFL Under-16 National Championships, the 15-year-old midfielder was a key part of the state side’s first title since 2002, showing great composure and decision making in his distribution across the ground, as well as kicking a few goals along the way.

A part of the Swans Academy in Newcastle, Rymer is no stranger to pressure but he said the step up in competition was eye-opening.

“It’s definitely a step up, it’s a semi-elite competition so the training and recovery and the coaching is all semi-professional,” he said.

“The different types of coaching they give us, the different styles they use, you learn a lot.”

It was the second consecutive year that Rymer has represented NSW in the nationals, and he said the expectations were much higher than playing locally for the Nelson Bay Marlins.

“It’s six minutes on and three minutes off, go on and give 100 per cent effort and then come off for a spell, all in quick spurts, I had never played like that before,” he said.

“The coaches had high expectations of us.”

A student of the game who loves to watch the AFL almost as much as playing, Rymer has his eyes firmly set on the draft, when he is eligible in a couple of years.