AFL
2 hours ago
A letter to 18 AFL clubs and a ringing endorsement: VFL star is all-in on 2024 Draft
By Andrew Slevison
VFL star Dom Brew has done everything in his power to gain the attention of AFL clubs ahead of this week’s AFL Draft.
The 27-year-old Werribee captain is determined to hear his name called as a mature-age recruit across either night of Wednesday and Thursday’s National Draft.
On the field in 2024 he couldn’t have done more, winning the JJ Liston Trophy and the VFL Coaches MVP, captaining the Victorian state team and leading the Tigers to the VFL premiership.
Off the field and Brew has shown that he is as eager as they come, sending a letter to each of the 18 AFL clubs in a bid to garner some interest.
Brew, who moved to Melbourne from Albury nine years ago, has endured a lengthy journey and is now holding hope as he stands on the verge of finally finding his way onto an AFL list.
“I just wanted to play the highest level of football,” Brew said on SEN Breakfast.
“I’m lucky enough now that I’ve played some good footy that I’m able to do that - write a letter to every club to let them know if there is an opportunity there.
“Obviously I’ll only suit a couple of clubs because you get clubs that are rebuilding. But at my age and how much good footy I’ve got left in me, which is about five years, I just thought it was worth a shot.
“You never know, and if it doesn’t work out then at least I can go to bed knowing that I did everything I possibly could which was the whole point of my year this year, was just making sure I gave myself the best opportunity to succeed and not leave a stone unturned.”
The midfielder is convinced that he will only get better if thrown into an environment where footy is the priority each and every day.
“I just reckon that all I need Is an opportunity,” he added.
“I just need a foot in the door and the rest will take care of itself. That’s where I’m at mentally, but it’s out of your hands, you just don’t know.
“I just feel like I could make a ready impact. There’d be natural improvement to come if you’re doing it every day in a full-time environment.
“If I got in that environment where all I was focusing on was footy I’d go to another level. I’m convinced I would anyway.”
Brew’s efforts over the course of his VFL career have certainly not been lost on Hawthorn premiership player Campbell Brown, who said: “I’ve been covering the VFL for about 10 years and he’d be my VFL favourite player.”
In response, Brew was grateful for the support from such a recognised name who is an ardent VFL fan.
“Campbell is a ripping fella too,” he said.
“I can’t believe he actually said that, I copped an absolute hiding from the boys in the group chat.
“But Browny is a legend and he’s so good for the VFL. Someone of his stature to pump up the cop and even give me that endorsement is pretty cool.”
Brew’s former Werribee teammate Shaun Mannagh has already tasted AFL action, impressing for Geelong throughout the 2024 season after he was selected with Pick 36 last year.
The pair grew up together in Albury, played footy with and against each other, and came to Melbourne together at the same time.
Mannagh has been a good sounding board for Brew as he strives to follow in his footsteps.
“It’s so good to see him doing what he’s doing and it’s no surprise,” he said further.
“All the boys would have liked him to play a little earlier, but he got his run in the end and I think he’s going to have a great year next season.
“He’s unreal and I’m so happy for him.”
The 2024 AFL Draft kicks off tonight (Wednesday) from 7pm AEDT with the first round of selections, and then continuing on Thursday with the remaining picks.
