From grassroots beginnings to AFL superstardom, the journey to the pinnacle of Australian Rules Football is rarely a straightforward path. For many, the dream of playing professionally is forged in suburban parks and country ovals, fuelled by childhood passion. Yet, the road to becoming an AFL hero, a State of Origin representative, is often paved with unexpected detours, moments of doubt, and the sheer grit to overcome setbacks.
We delve into the compelling stories of three prominent AFL figures – Toby Greene, Nathan Broad, and Jack Sinclair – to uncover the trials and tribulations that shaped their careers and ultimately led them to represent their states on the biggest stage.
The Early Days: A Love for the Game
For Toby Greene, the obsession with Australian Rules Football began at the tender age of seven, playing for the Ashy Redbacks. “I was obsessed with footy as a kid, from as long as I can remember,” Greene reflects. However, the reality of a professional career felt distant for many years. “I probably never thought it was a realistic chance (as a career) until I was in Year 12,” he admits.
Jack Sinclair’s football journey commenced at five years old with Kew Comets Auskick. His formative years were filled with joy and camaraderie. “I’ve got a lot of good memories,” Sinclair shares. “I played with some boys like Jack Billings and Luke McDonald who have gone on to have pretty lengthy AFL careers, and they’ve become really good mates of mine over the journey.” This early emphasis on enjoyment remains a guiding principle for Sinclair: “It is still the attitude that I try to take into every game. It’s just about fun and enjoyment. I definitely don’t want to lose sight of that now as I get a bit older.”
Nathan Broad’s early football life involved a significant geographical shift. Hailing from Chittering Broncos, a small country town 70km north of Perth, he was compelled to switch to Upper Swan on the outskirts of the WA capital due to team viability. “They couldn’t field a team any more, being a small country town, so I moved to Upper Swan,” Broad explains. He highlights the strong junior football pipeline from his area, noting, “Four of us in the WA team come out of Swan Junior footy club – (Stephen) Coniglio, Rory Lobb and Sam Taylor – which is awesome.” Reflecting on his youth, Broad emphasises the importance of fun and the pressures placed on young athletes today. “Looking back, it’s all about having fun. I think the modern world is too serious these days, and a lot of pressure gets put on kids, kids at a young age. If you’re good enough, you’ll get picked out. As you get older, you start figuring it out, but early on, it’s just all about enjoying the camaraderie.”
Navigating the Junior Ranks: Flying Under the Radar
The path to elite football often involves representative honours at junior levels. However, for Greene, Sinclair, and Broad, this was not always the case. Greene was fortunate to receive a football scholarship at Wesley College in Year 7, a gesture he feels he has repaid. “One of my good family friends looked after me,” he says. “I probably didn’t deserve one (a scholarship), but he gave me one. I think I’ve paid him back.”
Sinclair, on the other hand, admits to flying under the radar as a teenager. “I sort of struggled a bit. I never played for Victoria at any junior level. I didn’t get drafted when I was 18, so probably for a few years there, footy wasn’t looking likely,” he recalls. His focus even shifted away from football: “I was probably more focused on cricket, to be honest. I didn’t think footy was going to happen.”
Greene also experienced being overlooked for junior representative squads. “I always thought guys who were making those teams, I thought I was better than, but I never got the opportunity, really, until Year 12,” he states. “So it all came very quickly. Some might have said that it wasn’t a chance for me to play AFL, but I always thought I was good enough.”
Broad never envisioned himself as an AFL prospect during his teenage years. “Oh, geez, never, to be honest,” he confesses. “I never made any young junior squads or anything like that. I was from the country. I played a lot of reserves footy for Swan Districts.” His breakthrough came later: “I was fortunate in 2014 I had a really good season as a 22-year-old in the WAFL. And as the year went on, I got some interest. But even then, only two or three clubs, so to go in the national draft (No. 67) was an extreme shock.”
The Crucial Turning Points: A Second Chance and a Surprise Call
For Sinclair, a pivotal moment came at 19 when he returned to Oakleigh Chargers in the TAC Cup. “I was full-time at uni, doing a Bachelor of Business, so I had a lot of time to devote to sort of improve my footy and get a bit more up to the level, like, physically,” he explains. An opportunity to play as the 23rd man for Port Melbourne in the VFL against the Box Hill Hawks proved significant. “I had some really good moments, and I thought, ‘Yeah, maybe I’m a bit of a chance after that’.”
The 2011 national draft held uncertainty for Greene, who knew he was heading interstate. “I was probably a tiny bit flat,” he admits. “I wanted to go to ‘Brissie’ at the time because I didn’t know what the Giants were. Simon Black and Jonathan Brown were at the Lions, and I grew up with them winning three flags in a row.” However, his perspective quickly shifted: “But as soon as I got into my time at the Giants and met everyone and got to know all the boys in Sydney, I’ve loved it.”
St Kilda selected Sinclair as their No. 1 pick in the 2015 rookie draft. The moment was surreal, as he was home alone. “I was home by myself, all the family was at work,” he recounts. “My name popped up straight away. It caught me by a bit of surprise, I suppose. It was special, but I was home by myself so it was a bit weird in a way.”
Broad’s draft night was equally unexpected. Attending the event at Crown Casino with his parents, he wasn’t anticipating being picked. “We were walking off, and I heard my name and turned around, and, yeah, absolute shock,” he recalls. His strategy was simple: “Then you just want to put your head down, bum up, and do everything that the club asks for, and that’s all I did.” He seized his opportunity, playing his first two games in 2016 before a stint in the VFL. “I went back to VFL level and played a lot of VFL football and got back in 2017 and grabbed my chance again. And that was it. History.”
The AFL Debut and Beyond: Embracing the Challenge
The early days at an AFL club can be daunting. Sinclair, a rookie on a one-year deal, felt the pressure walking into St Kilda alongside established stars like Nick Riewoldt and Leigh Montagna. “I was a rookie on a one-year deal, walking in with guys like Nick Riewoldt and Leigh Montagna. So, yeah, it was very daunting,” he says. “I probably didn’t think I’d be still hanging around and playing some footy at this age.”
Greene’s debut came against Sydney in Round 1, 2012. Despite a significant loss, the experience was exhilarating. “It was a great day. Well, no, we lost by 10 goals. But it was good fun. It was awesome,” he enthuses. “More just excitement, running on adrenaline, and [my] friends and family came.”
Sinclair made his debut for the Saints in Round 1, 2014, as a substitute. An injury to a teammate opened the door for him to be upgraded to the senior list. “I came on late in the third [quarter], played all right, but we lost by about eight points,” he remembers. “I missed a shot late, which would have made the game a lot more interesting. But yeah, it was amazing. A lot of reward for effort.”
The Pinnacle of Representation: State of Origin Honours
The call to represent Victoria in the State of Origin match was a significant honour for Greene. “I was thrilled, really pumped,” he states. Despite a minor hip/glute issue, he was determined to play. “I was probably touch and go to play for a while, so I was trying to do everything I could to get up, and I’m here now, so I can’t wait. Hopefully [we] give WA a little touch-up.”
Sinclair, who had never represented his state at any level, found the State of Origin call-up deeply special. After speaking with Joel Selwood and Garry Lyon, he was told, “You’ve earned it. You love what you do.” He expresses his anticipation: “I’ve never represented the state at any level for footy. So, yeah, I’m really looking forward to the weekend.”
For Broad, the opportunity to play State of Origin came as a complete surprise, especially at 33 years old. “It was a shock,” he admits. “Obviously, I’m 33 this year, so I’m not getting younger. So it was a shock when Joel Selwood called, and I answered the phone, and he said I was in the team. I couldn’t believe it to start with, but yeah, super-stoked to be here with some amazing people, amazing athletes, and coaches.”
As these players continue to grace the AFL field, they carry the lessons learned from their winding paths. Sinclair, in particular, remains committed to his early ethos: “Just don’t lose sight of the enjoyment. I probably did for a few years.” This sentiment underscores the enduring spirit of the game, where passion and perseverance ultimately pave the way for greatness.
