Simply Energy Isolation Diaries: Logan McDonald Thursday, April 2, 2020 - 2:53 PM - by Logan McDonald

In a time of great uncertainty around the footballing world, we take you inside the lives of our Western Australian Under 18s as they navigate their way an unprecedented 2020 season. The positives, the negatives and the new opportunities that present themselves will all be told in the ‘Simply Energy Isolation Diaries.’ 

Announcement of WAFL season postponement.  

Almost three weeks ago to the day, myself and the rest of the WA footy community were preparing for another season. The usual emotions of feeling pumped to play every weekend with your good mates was evident, with the added bonus of having the potential of getting drafted in the back of my mind. But, much like sport around the world those feelings were brought to a halt with the news that Coronavirus had impacted our season. 

When you hear the news and you try to process it, the feeling that comes to mind is frustration. The season is up in the air with no real answers in the foreseeable future. However, I have been focusing on what I can control, study and attitude towards another ‘mini pre-season’. 

The new norm of isolation. 

Getting in a routine each day has been really important for me as we enter a pretty uncertain time. A normal day in isolation keeps me largely busy; University and lecture classes fill my morning and have proved a great distraction amongst the chaos. I take on my prescribed running throughout the afternoon before relaxing with my family. I try to finish each day with a session out the back in my home-made gym. I have also enjoyed watching movies or doing puzzles to pass the time. 

The WA AFL Academy has been extremely supportive throughout these unfortunate circumstances. We’ve had a new program assigned to us and really encouraged each individual to freshen up over the next few weeks. We’ve initiated skype calls to check in on everyone, which I think is vitally important. We frequently speak to each other, continually trying to improve that bond if or when games begin again. 

I think one of the toughest aspects at the moment is just missing the game and that mateship you have every weekend. Particularly given for a lot of us this is such an important year. People are in worse situations around that world at the moment, so that does put it all into perspective. We have no reason to complain and we are extremely lucky. 

Dev & Mitch debut. 

Sitting down and watching Dev (Robertson) and Mitch (Georgiades) was definitely inspiring to watch last weekend. Mainly because they are mates and you have been a small part in their journey, but also it fills you with great confidence that being involved with State Academy puts everyone on a path to success. Everything that the staff put in place really does work at the next level.

What’s next?

The common message that I have given myself over this period is to take advantage of the time away from football. Do the extras that may not have been achievable in a regular season. As we are all in the dark about what the future holds, I need to take it day by day to put myself in the best possible position for when games and potentially a draft come around.