Charlie turns it around at Gulls
BARWON Heads young gun Charlie Sprague has credited coaches Mitch Herbison and Troy Mitchell for reviving his career and keeping his AFL dream alive.
A top-age Geelong Falcon and live draft chance, Sprague said his junior club had played a significant part in helping him rediscover form after a mid-season slump.
Entering his third season at Highton Reserve, the 19-yearold found himself back in Seagulls colours in Round 7 after losing his way in the NAB League.
“I couldn’t find my form at the Falcons, to be honest,” said Sprague, who tasted the spoils of a premiership with Barwon Heads on Saturday.
“I went back to the BFL and got my chance to play senior footy for the first time and those four weeks really changed me.
“I went back to the Falcons and played some really good footy — probably the most consistent footy I’d played for my whole career — so it was a real turning point for me.”
When the Falcons bowed out in week one of finals, he met Herbison and Mitchell and soon found his way back into the Barwon Heads lineup.
He was among the Seagulls’ best in the second semi-final victory over Geelong Amateur and was again a strong contributor in his side’s grand final triumph against Torquay.
“This is absolutely awesome,” Sprague said.
“As a junior playing all of my footy here — and then spending some time at the Falcons and coming back and winning a flag in the senior team — is amazing.
“It’s been 26 years since we won one. I’ve been coming to watch them since I moved down here as a seven-year-old, so to get up today (Saturday) is awesome.”
While Sprague was unable to pinpoint why he was unable to produce his best at the Falcons, he felt right at home at Howard Harmer Oval.
“It was my third year in the (Falcons’) program and it can be tough as a 19-year-old,” he said.
“I put a lot of effort into last year and it didn’t quite work out for me. I didn’t have the best start to the season, and I can’t put my finger on why, but (when I came back to Barwon Heads) that was the turning point.
“It was that realisation that it was now or never, and I got my form back and had a strong second half to the year.
“There was a pressure release and everyone at the club was so welcoming.
“In the NAB League, everyone’s there for themselves in a way, but here (at Barwon Heads), it’s all about the team.
“They trusted me to put the footy in my hands and back me in and that gave me confidence in myself.”
With AFL clubs sniffing around the young Seagull, Sprague said he still harboured ambitions to play at the highest level.
“You always keep your options open and the hope is always there at the top level,” he said.
“In the second half of the season I literally took it week by week and now I just want to soak this up at Barwon Heads.
“There’s not much I can do now. I’ll just hope for the best.” CHARLIE Brauer turned 17 only a week ago.
He only has a learner licence and isn’t old enough to step into a pub.
But age proved no barrier for the classy Barwon Heads youngster (pictured), who etched his name into local footy folklore on Saturday by claiming a senior premiership.
In just his second senior game for the Seagulls, the Geelong Falcon would taste the ultimate success.
“It’s so, so good,” Brauer said. “I can’t believe it.”
Playing 12 games for the Falcons, Brauer over-qualified for the Seagulls’ Under-19 Division 2 outfit that played in a grand final on Saturday, but received a lucky reprieve when the NAB League side bowed out of the finals race.
He was thrust into the Barwon Heads’ senior line-up for the second semi-final clash against Geelong Amateur, booting two goals and named in the best to solidify his spot for the grand final.
“A week before the game against Ammos I got a text from (co-coach Mitch Herbison) ‘Herbi’ saying, ‘We might put you in, you need to train hard’,” Brauer said.
“Luckily, he gave me a shot and we’re premiers now.”
Visibly elated post-match, Brauer said it was difficult to describe the emotion of a stirring grand final victory.
“It’s joy, relief (everything),” Brauer said.
“Last year it was hard watching on, but this is the best thing to ever happen. I can’t put it into words, it’s amazing. I’m so happy right now.”