Simply Energy Isolation Diaries: Joel Western Thursday, April 9, 2020 - 4:43 PM

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 through 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.’

Control the controllables. 

It’s a term that many of my coaches have used over the duration of playing footy and I don’t think it could be more apt at this point in time. 

Between the loss of routine, being kept inside and the unpredictability of what is to come, it’s a difficult period for everyone involved in the football world. 

Plenty of that is out of my control though, something I am beginning to learn after three weeks of isolation. 

Season postponed. 

The most difficult thing for me about the WAFL season being postponed was starting again. For five months you battle your way through a pre-season with several targets in mind as we get close to round one. To firstly being told that training and games had been cancelled for three weeks, to a cancellation indefinitely, it is difficult to wrap your head around. I remember dad rushing in to tell me that the WAFL season was postponed and it certainly isn’t what you want to hear. You plan this year in your head from a fair way out, but I’ve remained focused on the end goal – putting myself in a good place to get drafted. 

Day-by-Day. 

Each day as you get used to the idea of isolation, I feel my at home routine is getting slightly better. I carry a footy around the house, use a crazy catch outside for touch and continue to challenge myself by kicking into a bin. My family is really active so I have been able to gym at home with my dad and brother regularly. I’ve probably found a bit of extra motivation there, given the time we now all have on our hands. 

School has been my most important distraction away from footy and the current situation. Online schooling takes up plenty of the day and everyone is getting used to the new way of life for education, I’m no exception to that. 

Constant support. 

I am extremely lucky that I have such a good support network within footy. Claremont FC, the State Academy and the Next Generation Academy program at Freo have all been fantastic to me throughout the last month. 

The WA State Academy staff have messaged us when they can. It’s hard for those guys, we are expecting heaps of answers but they can only tell us what they know. Their leadership is really important at an uncertain time like this, all the boys have appreciated it. 

The NGA at the Fremantle Football Club has been another sounding board for many of us. Tendai Mzungu has been great sending us messages and constantly setting up phone calls for all the NGA players. They just want to make sure we are well and offering support whenever we need it. I know I can call him and ask any question. 

Our Claremont Colts coach Matt Angus has been huge for all the guys within our squad. Setting challenges on our message groups and checking in with players. It’s been six or seven months since most guys have played a game, so keeping that competitive edge has been important. 

The Draft. 

Like every other season, the draft is going to be really competitive. There is plenty of talk around that there may be fewer spots on lists or restrictions on clubs. For me, that motivates to work harder and achieve the goals I have set out. The draft is out of our control and we can’t change the outcome. If the goal posts are shifted, I just need to get on with the job.