Young Magpie never lost hope

NEW Collingwood rookie Brody Mihocek doubted he would ever realise his AFL dream until the Magpies finally came knocking and snapped him up in the rookie draft.

Plucked out of the VFL from Port Melbourne, Mihocek adds some muchneeded depth to the Magpies’ key defensive stocks after being taken with pick 22 on Monday.

The 193cm backman, originally from Tasmania, was overlooked in the national draft as an 18-year-old but never gave up on his dream.

He moved to Melbourne to immerse himself in footy’s heartland and after five seasons at VFL clubs Werribee and most recently Port Melbourne under the tutelage of Gary Ayres, finally has his opportunity.

The 25-year-old’s story is one of dedication and perseverance.

“I had doubts ever since the under 18s didn’t work out,” Mihocek said.

“I didn’t really know what the next move was but I knew if I wanted to pursue the AFL dream I’d need to move to Victoria.

“The funds didn’t allow it when I was 19 so the following year I moved over and still didn’t get a chance on a VFL list.

“The following year I was at Werribee for two years and still had the dream then, kept working hard and went to Port Melbourne and had two good years.

“Then the phone calls started coming and I thought it was nearly going to happen last year but then it didn’t so I just went about it playing with Port and won a premiership.

“I got a phone call from Collingwood, who were the only team at the time, but that didn’t really matter to me because only one team can pick you up in the end.

“I put all my eggs in one basket with Collingwood.

Mihocek had his first day at the Magpies on Tuesday and officially began training with his new teammates on Wednesday.

He enjoyed his off-season celebrating Port Melbourne’s VFL premiership win and is now knuckling down for his first summer training as an AFL player. And it’s been brutal. “I’m really sore,” he told SEN.

“I haven’t really kicked a ball since the (VFL) Grand Final, so the hammies are sore, the back is sore, my feet are sore.”

The defender is the son of former Essendon player Jack Mihocek who played 13 games s for the Bombers between 1976678. His father has been a major or influence on his career and ability to maintain his passion n to achieve his dream.

“I always wanted to follow in his footsteps and play in the e AFL,” Mihocek said.

“He was always there to support me and after every game we’d chat about it. There’s been millions of phone calls to him and he’s always said just keep trying.

“He was stoked when he found out.”

Now he’s finally got his chance, Mihocek doesn’t plan on changing the way he plays. It’s got him this far after all. “I’m just going to keep playing like I have been all these years. Tough to play against, strong in the air, be aggressive at the ball and play for the team,” Mihocek said. Mihocek was one of three selections for the Magpies in the rookie draft next to fellow defenders Flynn Appleby and the returning Adam Oxley.

I didn’t really know what the next move was but I knew if I wanted to pursue the AFL dream I’d need to move to Victoria