New draftee Tom Gross has received some sage advice from Jeremy McGovern after moving in with the champion defender for the first stage of life as a West Coast Eagle.
Perth is Gross’ home away from home, with his mother’s family all based in the northern suburbs, but the young Victorian is currently bunking with the McGovern family.
“My family are up North in Quinns Rock but I’m staying with ‘Gov’, Jeremy McGovern, at the moment. His family have been good to me,” Gross said.
“He didn’t play his first game until his fourth year, so he just said to be patient, work hard and don’t really stress too much.”
Having only arrived in Perth on Sunday, and already participating in a week’s worth of pre-season training, Gross said it’s been fun learning the ropes.
“I arrived Sunday afternoon, it’s been so much fun,” Gross said.
“Meeting all the boys and the staff, it’s been hard memorising everyone’s names, but I’m sure I’ll get the hang of it.”
The Oakleigh Chargers product is known for his versatility and sharp, competitive edge, and has already discussed what kind of role he will be playing with coach Andrew ‘Mini’ McQualter.
“I spoke to ‘Mini’ yesterday, and we’re thinking a sort of mid-forward role,” Gross said.
“I like to play up forward and have spurts in the mid as well, and I just like to be competitive and get to work and crack in.”
After his first taste of an AFL pre-season training environment, Gross named some Eagles teammates that he will be looking to emulate.
“There’s a few, the big boys in Reuben (Ginbey) and ‘Hewey’ (Elijah Hewett), they’ve been cracking in and training really well,” Gross said.
“Even ‘Bakes’ as well, Liam Baker, they’re working hard so I’ll be trying to learn off them.”
As a medium forward-mid, Gross shared two AFL stars that he modelled his game on.
“I loved watching Toby Greene growing up,” Gross said.
“A forward who can be dangerous and fly for his marks at that height (is impressive).
“And I like a bit of Rory Sloane, people sort of compare me to him with the hair stuff, and he’s really good.”
