It is not often that an AFL player lets their guard down during a press conference.

As a result of being analysed and scrutinised to the nth degree, most play it safe when the cameras are rolling.

They endeavour to answer questions sufficiently while also maintaining a sort of mystique, because in reality the vast majority of them are more comfortable expressing themselves on the footy field than in front of a media pack.
Tom Barrass is an exception to that rule.

The deep-thinking defender has never been afraid to speak his mind, no matter the forum. And that is exactly what he did while sitting down for a chat with local scribes and television reporters ahead of West Coast’s second Marsh Community Series hit-out in March.

When The West Australian’s chief football reporter Mark Duffield asked Barrass to assess his 2019 campaign, he, like the rest of those in the room, was taken aback by the frankness of Barrass’ response.

“I got injured, had to have surgery, and throughout that process I probably lost my enjoyment for the game,” Barrass said.

“The pressure and expectation of performing to a premiership level, of winning another flag, of wanting to be a good player ... I probably let that consume me a bit too much.

“I didn’t just play carefree footy and have fun out there. Once that starts to snowball you lose control a bit.

“Once your confidence goes, and combine that with not really feeling passionate about playing footy, your performance goes too.

“I was trying to figure out how to (rediscover my passion) and I think I arrived on having a better balance, pursuing creative interests off-field and personal interests off-field to create an identity for yourself that is not just attached to the footy club and how your on- field performance is going.
 
“I have been working hard at that and I am enjoying my footy again.”

Barrass’ answer offered an intriguing insight to the broader mindset of a professional athlete, eradicating the notion that our weekend warriors are more machine than human.

It is fortunate that Barrass rediscovered his fondness for footy during the off-season because it would have been easy to become disillusioned with the game in 2020, arguably the most challenging season in the AFL’s history.

No one could have envisioned what would transpire throughout the year: crowdless season openers; a 10-week hiatus; a second pre-season slog; hubs; shorter games; compressed fixtures; stints home quarantine; and so much more.

In spite of all that, the club’s 2017 Emerging Talent Award clearly enjoyed his footy and produced his most consistent season to date, culminating in a fourth-place finish in the John Worsfold Medal count.

“I just went back to having fun and enjoying being a young man who’s playing footy and hanging out with my mates,” Barrass said at the conclusion of the Club Champion Awards.

“I tried to take the pressure and expectation out of playing AFL football and just focused on enjoying the game.

“I also developed a better understanding of my strengths, what I do well and what is actually required on game day.

“The more you understand your role the better you are able to execute it.”

Barrass revealed that he derived plenty of joy from helping those around him, specifically the team’s emerging defensive talents.

With experienced backmen Jeremy McGovern, Shannon Hurn and Will Schofield sidelined for periods throughout the campaign, the Claremont product knew he needed to step up and show the way for West Coast’s fledglings.

“That was a big part of rediscovering my love for the game, teaching blokes like ‘Rothy’ (Josh Rotham) and Harry Edwards, who I expect to be great players for this club in the years to come,” Barrass offered.

“It was also exciting to see so many other guys make their debuts for the club throughout the year.

“It’s a beautiful thing when you get to see someone play at the highest level for the first time. To be able to share that with someone really means a lot to me.”

While the club managed to record plenty of impressive wins after riding out a rocky start to the season, Barrass said he will not soon forget the team’s inspired round 17 win against St Kilda.

And that is in large part due to the amount  of youth that carried the Eagles to that memorable win.

Despite being without captain Luke Shuey, dual Club Champion Elliot Yeo, 2018 player  of the finals Jack Redden, run-with expert Mark Hutchings, 2018 premiership  hero  Dom Sheed – and losing McGovern halfway through the contest due to a hamstring injury – the Eagles clawed back from a goal down in the last quarter to win by 15 points and keep their top four hopes alive.

“I think it’s hard to go past that game against St Kilda when you look back on the year,” Barrass said.

“It was at a time in the season when we had a lot of injuries, uncertainty and a lot of sacrifice from the players. The way the boys played together, won together and celebrated together meant a lot to our group. It’s those little wins like that carry your squad into the future and I think this group can go all the way next year.

“It’s just about everyone playing their roles and investing in a really solid  system. I think if we can do that we’ve got the cattle to challenge for another premiership. I think there are really exciting times ahead for our footy club.”