In a remarkable story of resilience, young Tasmanian footballer Avery Thomas has transformed personal tragedy and professional setback into a powerful driving force, emerging as his state's premier prospect for the upcoming AFL draft.
A Dream Deferred and a Life-Altering Loss
The path to the national stage was far from straightforward for Thomas. Two years ago, he experienced his first major football disappointment when he was selected for Tasmania's initial under-16s side, only to be dropped from the final team for the trip to the Gold Coast. "It was obviously a bit flattening, but I just had to move on and get back to work," Thomas recalls. "It was definitely a moment where I thought, 'am I really good enough to go to the next level'."
While that sporting rejection was difficult, it paled in comparison to the unimaginable tragedy that struck just months later. While sitting at his year 10 graduation, Avery's father, Clyde, suffered a sudden and fatal heart attack. Despite the efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived.
"It was obviously really sudden and really out of the blue... I feel like it made me realise that tomorrow isn't promised," Thomas shared. "He was good that morning, but by lunchtime he was gone. It really puts things into perspective."
Rising Up with a Mother's Support
In the wake of this profound loss, Thomas found his footing again with the unwavering support of his mother, Alison. "Mum's been awesome, by my side literally the whole way," he says with deep gratitude. "She's always pushing me to be better and pushes me as hard as I can to achieve my goals, which I love. I'm so close with her, she's been awesome."
Fueled by a new perspective on life and a desire to honour his father's memory, Thomas channelled his grief into relentless training. After the under-16s snub, he immediately returned to the gym and the running track, determined to improve. "The dream was always to play footy so I stuck at it and just wanted to come back better," he stated. "I went back and wanted to get fitter and stronger, so I hit the gym a fair bit. I just wanted to work on my craft a little bit so I'm able to break those lines."
Hard Work Pays Off at the National Combine
That dedication has yielded extraordinary results. Two years after his initial setback, Thomas not only cemented his place in the state side but also earned a singular honour: he was the only player from Tasmania invited to the prestigious national draft combine.
"Bit of a shock to be the only Tasmania player at the combine," Thomas admitted, "but mum also told me 'this is all the work you put in and it's paying off'. I feel like for the last couple of years I've been able to prove a few people wrong and it gets to where I am now."
Modelling his game on the tough, uncompromising style of Collingwood defender Brayden Maynard, Thomas has developed into a player capable of breaking the lines and making a significant impact on the field.
As the draft approaches, the young gun plans to watch the event at his house with close friends and family, nervously awaiting the call that could make his dream a reality. "I'm super, super nervous... just obviously get to draft night and hopefully get my name called out," he confesses.
The prospect of one day running onto an AFL field is a powerful motivator. "The dream of playing AFL football in front of a crowd of 90,000... it's a bit of a pinch me moment," Thomas says. "I'd be stoked and probably speechless to be honest." From the depths of personal heartbreak, Avery Thomas has built a foundation of strength, emerging as Tasmania's most promising football son and an inspiration on his way to the big league.
