Auskicker Daniel eats, sleeps and breathes footy!Wednesday, April 20, 2016 - 11:30 AM

Daniel Brightwell has been ''footy-mad'' since the age of two.

Having parents who are both enthusiastic Fremantle Dockers supporters and the Kingsley Junior Football Club only metres down the road from the family house, there was no doubt Daniel would become involved in the sport.

This year marks Daniel’s second season of Auskick at Kingsley Junior Football Club and the first time his parents entered him into the AFL NAB Auskicker of the Year competition.

“I had to say in a hundred words or less why he was footy-mad,” Daniel's mum Justine said.

“I simply told the truth! My son eat, sleeps and breathes footy.”

Daniel is an avid Dockers fan who wants to be like, yes you guessed it, Brownlow Medallist Nat Fyfe but also has his eyes on new recruit Lachie Weller.

“He’s just a really good midfielder and that is my favourite position to play,” Daniel said.

“I like getting the ball from the backs and kicking it on to the forwards.”

Little did Daniel or his parents know that he would get the opportunity to play on the hallowed turf of Domain Stadium during the West Coast Eagles v Richmond Tigers Friday night game on April 15.

“We were told over the phone that Daniel had been selected as one of the State’s Auskickers of the Year and I simply couldn’t contain my excitement,” Justine said.

“Daniel was even more excited and and from then on the excitement just continued to grow.”

Daniel still can’t quite believe he got to play a grid game at half-time in front of a massive crowd at the Eagles’ Round 4 home game.

“It was the best thing,” Daniel said.

“I loved meeting Cameron Ling, going out on the ground and being interviewed for TV!

“They let me keep my Auskick outfit and I even wore it to bed that night.”

Justine said it was the most amazing and special experience.

“We felt very special to be allowed out on the field to watch our son play footy,” Justine said.

“We are so grateful and lucky and Daniel can't stop talking about it.”

Justine said Auskick has taught her son a lot about the importance of being fair and having fun.

“The best thing he has learnt is how to work as a team but also how to lose graciously,” Justine said.

“From playing Auskick Daniel has learnt about the value of just enjoying the sport for what it is and having a whole heap of fun in the process.”

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