At 21 years previous and with simply 35 video games of AFL expertise beneath his belt, Fremantle defender Hayden Young had doubts whether or not he was prepared for a management position.
But after getting the backing of his friends to be a part of a six-man management group beneath new captain Alex Pearce, Young is assured he can have an effect in that house.
Young was considered one of a number of new leaders voted in by the gamers alongside Sam Switkowski and recruit Jaeger O’Meara, whereas midfielders Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw have been promoted to twin vice-captains.
“That was probably the one thing that made me realise what a great opportunity I’ve got in front of me,” Young mentioned.
“I sort of came into this year not knowing where I would sit with leadership, whether I was ready and I was like, ‘am I too young and have I played enough games?’
“But the fact that I was voted in by my peers gives me a lot of confidence that they value what I bring to the club and they value what I bring in a leadership space.
“That gives me a lot of confidence that I can keep doing what I’m doing because they obviously value it and hopefully I can keep adding to the culture of the club and hopefully take us forward.
“Leadership is always something that I’ve wanted to be a part of. I’ve held leadership roles in junior footy and what not but stepping up into a leadership role at AFL level is a new experience and a challenge and an opportunity and something that I’m really looking forward to.
“I’ve had the benefit of looking up to people like Nat Fyfe, David Mundy, Alex Pearce, Sonny (Michael) Walters over the last four years and certainly learned a lot from their leadership styles.
“At the moment I’m trying to find out where I sit with my leadership style and how I can help the group moving forward and how I can bring my strengths to my role.”
Young felt fellow defender Pearce, who has been considered one of his greatest mentors since arriving on the membership as a top-10 decide within the 2019 nationwide draft, was “ready” to take the following step as everlasting skipper because the membership hunts an elusive premiership.
The pair grew shut throughout their time within the rehab group collectively battling long-term accidents and Young credited the Tasmanian on his efforts as stand-in captain final yr when Fyfe was sidelined.
“Alex has been a great role model for me over the last few years, in my first year he was the one that took me under his wing,” Young mentioned.
“It helped me out particularly when I had a few injuries, because we were in the same boat.
“He’s had a massive influence on my footy. He’s ready to take the next step and be the captain that we need to take us to the next premiership.
“He’s earned that right and we have the full support of him and it’s a great honour to have a skipper like Alex that plays in the backline.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
