EAST Fremantle prospect Joshua Nomlatyu fell in love with footy watching his two favourite AFL clubs, Fremantle and Hawthorn, go at it. Now, he enters his top-age campaign having developed through the Dockers’ Next Generation Academy pathway and Sharks’ junior sides.

Nomlatyu, who models his game off modern day Hawks and Dockers, is capable of playing in every key position post. Whether forward, back, or in the ruck, the 197cm talent showed great promise across 13 WAFL Colts appearances last year to be named in Western Australia’s Under 18 summer squad.

We spoke to Nomlatyu at last month’s WAFL Colts preseason testing event, hosted by Rookie Me.

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PRESEASON Q&A

Q: What are your earliest memories of football?

JN: Watching on the television in my grandad’s living room. Hawthorn and Fremantle especially played very intense games, which was good to watch so that’s probably where I fell in love with footy at around nine years old.

Q: How would you describe your ability and play style?

JN: I like to play a James Sicily style role because I enjoy playing down back, but also up forward. If I’m playing in defence I think my bodywork is good and I get the ball to ground as well as out-marking my opponents. Defensively I read the ball well and know where the play is going so I can intercept or create.

Q: Is there a player that you model your game on?

JN: I used to really like watching Cyril Rioli when I was younger, as a small forward he is who probably got me into footy. Nowadays I like to base my game on Josh Draper or James Sicily.

Q: Would you consider yourself a Fremantle or a Hawthorn fan?

JN: Both really. Right now I watch whatever is on but my family are all Hawthorn and Fremantle fans.

Q: How would you rate the success of your bottom-age campaign?

JN: I think my first half of the year started strongly. In the second half of the season I dropped off a little due to fitness and playing a new role as a ruckman, but that was good for me because I got something out of it in that it I now know what I’m doing going into this year and we’ll see whether I play that ruck role.

Q: How can East Fremantle improve and push into finals contention this season?

JN: I think consistency was our biggest failure last year and playing four-quarter games will be important. We need to work on starting well and being aggressive early in games and carrying that through. Everyone will need to play their role properly.

Q: Could you speak to what it means to have a family member in Avuya go through the same process as you?

JN: It’s exciting comparing both of our seasons. We’ve grown up alongside each other the entire way. I know she’s playing really well right now and I’m excited to see where she goes this year and next year because it’s really cool watching her.

Q: What has been the impact of Fremantle’s NGA programs on your development as a player?

JN: It’s been good. I know a lot more now since playing alongside other players in my age group. I’ve started to understand the culture and backgrounds of everyone and how it ties into footy. I’ve also seen different gameplans and as much as we struggle with the running and what not, there is a lot of fun in it. There is a massive fun side to footy.