WEST Australian AFL draft hopeful Sam Gilbey had a “frustrating” year by his own admission, but is hoping the talent he showed in his bottom-age season was enough to earn a place on an AFL list in 2023. The Claremont prospect started the year with a bout of glandular fever, returned to the West Australian Football League (WAFL) and state squad, only to break his leg and have his season cut short.

“I don’t think I probably got to show all of my best footy this year which is a bit frustrating considering it’s a pretty important year,” Gilbey said. “I think I was able to show what I was able to do last year a fair bit so hopefully that holds me in good stead.

“I had one game this year where I was able to show what I like to bring and that was against Swan Districts. It was the time where I felt like my body was feeling best and I was feeling as healthy as possible and I was just able to play my role for Claremont and managed to find a bit of the footy which was good.”

In his most important junior year, Gilbey’s season was curtailed by those two big illness and injury blows, which he said taught him a lot. On top of sitting in the coaches box to observe a different side of the game, Gilbey gained greater mental strength through the adversity he had to face.

“I had to learn to resilience and patience pretty quickly,” Gilbey said. “Sitting on the side watching most weeks, but gave you a different perspective. Got to be in the coaches box a couple of times, got to view the game a little bit differently. I guess I took a few good things out of it, obviously I’d prefer to be out there playing, but that’s how things go sometimes.”

The West Australian has been utilised in all thirds of the ground across the past 18 months, but said half-back is his preferred position. Gilbey enjoys reading the play behind the ball and being able to capitalise on his strengths of rebounding and elite kicking.

“I think my run and carry off the half-back (is a strength) and I generally think I make good decisions with the ball, I don’t usually like to blaze away with it,” Gilbey said. “I like to lower my eyes and hit targets.”

Having missed a chunk of the year, the AFL Academy member said he was working hard on getting his fitness back and admitted he needed to hit the gym to bulk up. Back walking now after being on crutches and in a moon boot, Gilbey was feeling good at the National Draft Combine, even if he could not test. His glandular fever ruled him out of the Academy game against Collingwood VFL, but Gilbey still played an important role for he side and at the training sessions.

“I got to participate in most of the things we did,” Gilbey said. “We had a little training run at Essendon, got to have a little run around there which was good and had a few other experiences we got to partake in. In the game I was actually the runner so I got to be involved which was really good by the coaches and I was grateful to be involved.”

Naming Alwyn Davey Jr and bottom-age talent Ashton Moir as his toughest opponents thus far, it indicated just how versatile Gilbey is in defence. Davey Jr is more of a crumbing talent, while Moir does his best work aerially, so when it comes to stopping them, the West Australian has to adopt different tactics.

“For Alwyn you want to follow him pretty closely because he’s a pretty quick bloke and can get away from you, so just keeping an eye on him,” Gilbey said. “For the players like Moir where he’s got a pretty good run and jump at the ball and being physical, using all the tricks you have to try and bring it to ground and even help from teammates to make sure he doesn’t mark it.”

Like many AFL Draft prospects, Gilbey has already come to terms with moving interstate, and that potential path is one he is comfortable in taking. After an interrupted 2022, Gilbey is just hoping to land on an AFL list.

“It’s something I’ve definitely had to consider only being two teams in WA and it’s something I’m open to, and I’d just be happy to get a chance at any club,” he said.

With the draft just a week away, Gilbey does not have to wait long to see if his dream will be realised.