MVP honour a real Banks statement
BRADY Rawlings, Mav Weller, Tarryn Thomas — and now Oatlands flyer Sam Banks has joined this exclusive alumni for Tasmanian football talent.
Banks has become just the fifth Tasmanian to be named the most valuable player at the under-16s national carnival, the Alan McLean Medal, joining an illustrious list who have gone on to be drafted into the AFL.
He averaged 24 touches a game across the three matches playing a combination of midfield and half-back. “I wasn’t going away expecting to win it, but it is a privilege and an honour,” Banks said of winning the medal and being named in the All-Australian team.
“I got to know [North Melbourne’s] Tarryn a little bit when I was in the under-12s and he was in the under-15s and I’ve followed him very closely since the under-16s.
“And I got a message from [Richmond’s] Mav as soon as he found out I won it which was very nice of him.”
It is reward for family dedication with Sam’s parents, Joanne and Laurence, continually ferrying their son from Oatlands to various training venues around Hobart three or four times a week so the recently turned 16-year-old can chase his football dreams, including playing five games for the under-18s Devils in the NAB League.
“It is a big commitment but I love it and that’s the main thing,” the Year 10 Oatlands District High School student said.
“Every now and then it gets a bit much, but after doing it for a few years now you get pretty used to it.
“With the Devils they give you a night off every now and then if you need it or if you’ve got important exams coming up.”
Playing in the NAB League has also fast-tracked his development.
“It has been a huge difference, just getting a taste for it at the highest level for your age group. It prepared me really well for the 16s carnival, you got used to flying and being around the same group of coaches most of the year not going backwards and forwards. It gives you a lot of opportunities being in the NAB League with the Devils.”
He comes from a big footy family, with his dad only hanging up his boots after turning 47 and having played 550 games for Sorell, Mangalore and Woodsdale.