AS the postponement of all seasons commenced over the last few weeks, we head back to the pre-season where we sat down with a number of athletes across the country. In a special Question and Answer (Q&A) feature, Draft Central‘s Michael Alvaro chatted with Geelong Falcons’ Henry Walsh at the NAB League Fitness Testing Day hosted by Rookie Me.
The brother of Carlton midfielder and 2018 number one draft pick, Sam, cuts a much different figure to his elder sibling as a loping 202cm ruckman, and remains quite raw in terms of his development. While he thrives in his ruck craft having averaged 27.3 hitouts across 13 NAB League games as a bottom-ager, Walsh is constantly working on his impact around the ground as he expands his endurance base. The St Joseph’s junior represented Vic Country at Under 16 level and already cracked the Under 18 side in 2019, capping off his year with an appearance in the Under 17 All Star clash on AFL Grand Final day.
He is quite the unique character and is seldom shy to have a crack. Read up on what Walsh had to say during preseason about his development, opportunities afforded to him through the AFL Academy, and the year ahead with the Falcons.
—
Q&A:
MA: Henry, how has the day been for you?
HW: “Today’s been pretty good.”
Which of the tests are you looking to excel in or improve on at the moment?
“The vertical jump for sure, love that.”
Pretty important in the ruck?
“Yeah.”
How has the preseason been so far?
“It’s been real good, thank you.”
On-field, how do you think your game’s coming along?
“It’s developing each game which is real good.”
Obviously he plays a much different role, but has your brother (Sam) helped that at all over the past few years?
“Yeah, especially through my running and positioning around the ground. It’s been real good.”
I’m sure you tapped a few down to him at preseason training with Carlton as well, it must’ve been good to get down there?
“It was. It was real good, a great experience.”
How has being part of the Vic Country hub been for you?
“It’s been real good, seeing how all the other boys from different areas for Vic Country have been.”
You’re part of a talented group at the Falcons too, you’ve played a lot together already. Are you looking to bounce back after a bit of a down year?
“Oh yeah bloody oath. Hopefully (we) get a few more wins.”
Howley hopping up the seaboard to chase dream
LIKE dozens of her peers, this week saw the realisation of a dream for young star Sara Howley, who was drafted to the GWS Giants in Monday night’s AFL Women’s Draft. But, the realisation of that dream has meant having another kind of realisation – a big move away from home. But, the Geelong Falcon […]
Former Oztag Aussie captain chases AFLW dream
STORIES like Brooke Bailey do not come around too often. While cross-coder journeys are nothing new, few have represented – let alone captained – their nation at international level. However for the Sydney Swans train-on and three-time East Coast Eagles premiership player, that is exactly the case. “I grew up playing Oztag since the age […]
Trending the Wright way for Tiger cub
NATIONAL Academy member Claudia Wright has had more than her fair share of setbacks over the last couple of years, missing the entire 2023 WAFLW season, and only playing one AFLW Under 18 Championships match out of a possible six. But through it all, the versatile top-ager has remained a player of interest for AFLW […]
Harrington grateful for “amazing” opportunity
QUEENSLAND AFLW Draft prospect Tara Harrington has not been lost on just how valuable the experiences have been for her over the last couple of years. Speaking to Rookie Me Central at the National Draft Combine, Harrington said despite missing the bulk of the year through injury, still felt connected thanks to assisting with the […]
Q&A: Mackenzie Williams (Tasmania Devils)
BOASTING a powerful kick and great strength, Tasmanian Mackenzie Williams is the standout AFLW Draft prospect from the Apple Isle this year. Williams has long been among the draft talents for 2024, having represented the Devils and Allies for the past three years and really shone as that intercepting and rebounding defender. However in 2024, […]
Pies’ Patterson prepared for next level
ONE of only two father-daughter prospects in this year’s AFL Women’s Draft, Violet Patterson has gone about building a nice CV leading up to next Monday’s night of nights. Tied to Collingwood thanks to her father Stephen’s 96 games in the black and white, Patterson looms as a high upside prospect with a nice balance […]
Q&A: Chloe Gaunt (Brisbane Lions Academy)
A LATE bloomer to the code as well as admittedly getting more serious about her fitness over the off-season, athletic key forward Chloe Gaunt received a AFLW National Draft Combine invite. Bursting with potential as a 182cm utility who can roll into the ruck, the raw key showed glimpses of what she is capable of […]
Q&A: Emma Juneja (Swans Academy)
HARD-RUNNING wing Emma Juneja looms as Sydney Swans Academy’s top Academy draft prospect in the December 16 AFLW Draft, having pieced together a consistent top-age season. She played across multiple competitions for the Academy, Allies and Sydney University, as well as running out for the National Academy. We spoke to Juneja at the AFLW National […]
Determined Rasheed raises own bar
THEY say that you are your own harshest critic, and that could not be more true of young gun India Rasheed. The promising top 10 talent has long caught the eye of fans and recruiters alike, with Rasheed’s snap goal in the 2022 SANFLW Grand Final sending her viral around the footballing community. Considering the […]
[…] >> Q&A […]