MITCH Podhajski is a talented player who possesses all the persistence and motivation needed to play in the AFL.
The young star was recently selected for the U18 Vic Metro side and featured in the recent win against Western Australia.
But this reward didn’t come easily for Podhajski.
He has been a devoted football player for 11 years and is a proud product of the EDFL.
The 18-year-old started his career as a little Jet at Section Road and spent six years at the club.
During his time at Greenvale, Podhajski was lucky enough to make the EDFL U12 Representative side.
But amazingly, this was the only time that he made the EDFL Interleague side in his illustrious career.
“By not making all these teams, I could’ve easily lost interest in my goal,” he said.
“The biggest thing for me was to keep pushing and trying to improve myself as much as I could.”
Podhajski then made the move from Greenvale to Aberfeldie, and was a key member of the Gorillas’ side.
“By having good mates around you and to be in a real improving environment, it helps you keep the love for footy,” he said.
As a 14-year-old, Podhajski had to manage playing in two sides – one of which contained some of the best young players in the state.
The young defender was recruited to the Calder Cannons’ U14 side, but was anxious about taking his football career to new heights.
“At the start, I was really out of my comfort zone,” he said.
“I didn’t really love going there just because there were a lot of good players.”
“I always felt like I was in the bottom couple of players and I felt like I could get cut at any stage.”
Now, Podhajski plays in the U18 Calder Cannons team, and is having a breakout year.
In the Cannons’ win against Gippsland Power in Round 7, Podhajski produced a seamless performance with his 23 disposals, six goals and four contested marks.
This performance, along with his other consistent performances during the year, was enough for him to receive a coveted Vic Metro jumper.
The 190cm defender previously made the initial U16 Vic Metro squad, but didn’t make the final team.
In the following year, he was picked in the side again, but only played one match before being cut.
Following this disappointment, Podhajski knew that his work rate had to increase significantly if he wanted to be a consistent member of the team.
“Once I made it (the squad), I reminded myself that I’ve got to keep pushing myself and play as good as I can,” he said.
“You know that you’re playing against the best players in the state so you change your mindset a bit.”
Wearing the Big V was a proud milestone for Podhajski, who has been working tirelessly to achieve this wonderful feat.
But the defender is keeping a level head about this selection, with the bigger picture of playing AFL lingering in the back of his mind.
“I know that I still need to play as hard as I can every weekend if I’m any chance of getting drafted,” he said.
Mitch Podhajski’s game isn’t just based on talent – that’s only a small part of it.
He is a passionate player who has battled immensely hard to hear his name get called out on draft night.
