As recently as this season Brady Hough was playing senior football in the South West Football League, but only months later the lifelong West Coast supporter and draft bolter is now an Eagle.
Speaking to reporters on Friday less than 24 hours after his name was called out at pick 31 in the NAB AFL Draft, the 18-year-old could not believe how fast his life has changed.
A versatile 189cm player who can run through multiple positions, Hough only played 11 Colts games and one senior match for Peel this year before finding himself in the AFL.
“It all happened so quick,” Hough said.
“Playing country football last year and now here I am, it’s so good. Over the moon.
“I just came up to WAFL and was trying to take my football to the next level, and set a few goals to make the state side and everything just became real.
“It was just crazy.
“I thought I’d be going a bit later if I was to go (in the draft). I wasn’t confident by any means leading into it.”
Hough described his League debut for Peel against eventual premier Subiaco in the final round of the season as a “turning point” and it no doubt caught Eagles recruiters’ attention when he gathered 22 disposals, took nine marks and kicked a goal.
“I still have a lot of development to go. I’ve been a late developer, this is only my first year of WAFL Colts,” the Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault product said.
“Just keen to get stuck into it.
“I’ve met the coach (Adam Simpson) and most of the players.
“It’s just so crazy – I don’t even think it’s sunk in yet.
“It’s just a dream come true and so good.”
For East Fremantle product Jack Williams the memories of the night before were still vivid when he joined the four West Australian draftees touring the Mineral Resources Park facility on Friday.
Williams, a 195cm key forward who also rucked for the Sharks’ Colts team, had to wait until pick No.57 overall to hear his name called.
“It was awesome. Getting down to those last couple of picks was pretty nerve-racking but just to hear my name called out was really special,” Williams said.
“I’m really happy it worked out how it did.
“Just to come to West Coast, we’ve got an awesome bunch of key position players.
“To be able to come down here and learn under the likes of ‘JK’ (Josh Kennedy), (Jack) Darling and Oscar Allen … I’ll be able to learn off them for the next couple of years.
“Oscar Allen this year as I’ve increased my versatility and started rucking as well, he’s someone I’ve modelled my game on a little bit because he’s that athletic, versatile key position player.”
The strongly-built, 95kg youngster is also a keen fisherman, and is already eager to join his new teammates like Shannon Hurn and Jeremy McGovern out on the water.
“That’s good being able to stay over here in Perth and I know some of the boys are pretty keen on that as well, so I’ll definitely have to take them up on that,” Williams said.
