By Kath Gannaway
HEALESVILLE teenager Tristan Tweedie has kicked his way down the line, for a solid shot at his ultimate dream job.
The Category B rookie was signed by the Western Bulldogs on Monday night and says his introduction to the Footscray-based club this week could not have been more friendly and welcoming.
Tristan, 18, started in the under-9s, playing most of his junior career with Coldstream and Lilydale football clubs in the EFL before moving up to play with Eastern Ranges.
His inclusion in Hawthorn’s multicultural and Indigenous Next Generation Academy gave the Hawks signing rights in the recent AFL draft, but when they dropped the ball, the Bulldogs wasted no time in putting the 190cm goalkicker in the blue, red and white.
Tristan caught the eye of scouts playing for two consecutive years for Eastern Ranges in the TAC Cup competition, and kicking six goals in round one of this year’s competition.
A foot injury sidelined him after just two games this year, but he says he’s confident he’s on solid ground as he takes on the next challenge.
“I feel like I’m at the back end of it now and looking to get past it in the next month or two,” he said before heading back to the club from Healesville, on Wednesday 7 December.
On the move to a full-time commitment to the Bulldogs, Tristan said AFL football was something he had dreamed of since he was a junior, but had focused on since being picked up with Eastern Ranges.
“It’s a bit surreal for that (elite football) to be your primary career, but it’s the best job in the world from my point of view, and getting paid to do what you love, it’s a great opportunity,” he said.
He is staying with a Bulldogs player and says he will live with a host family post-Christmas.
It’s a big change for any 18-year-old, but he says he won’t be taking his eye of the ball in adopting a level-headed approach to the challenges ahead.
“To be successful, I think you have to be really modest and take everything as it comes.
“Take it day by day, week by week; think in the here and now and look to go from there.”
He said his aim in his first year is to build a good foundation and build from there.
