Sometimes you need an opportunity. Sometimes you also need someone to put in the right word to the right person to get that opportunity.
Joe Richards, a 23-year-old teacher at a special education school in Wangaratta playing country footy, finally got both.
After some persistent prodding from a former player, Derek Hine (pictured) selected Joe Richards.Credit:AFL Photos
After five years of missing out, having never even played a state league game, the Ovens and Murray league star got the backer he needed and the opportunity he craved.
With pick 48 Collingwood chose Richards.
He was coached by affable former Collingwood premiership player Ben Reid, who had quickly become an enthusiastic and relentless backer. Reid annoyed the bejesus out of Pies list manager Derek Hine this year, badgering him that this kid, sorry man, had everything and just needed a chance.
He would be considered one of the great draft smokies except Port Adelaide and Geelong had also kept a keen eye on him this year. So maybe more a bolter.
“Reidy is probably on the phone now,” Hine laughed as he did a media conference with the draft still running.
“He [Reid] was driving me mad. I saw Joe three times this year and I went up to the grand final that they won by five points.
“Reidy texted me after the game, it must have been 8.30 and said, ‘What do you think?’ I said, ‘Yeah it’s all right, just give me a call a bit later in the week.’ ”
Reid called three hours and many beers later.
“Clearly he had had a big night. I said, ‘Are you trying to help Joey or not?’ He is clearly a fan and has been keeping a close eye on him, particularly over the last month he has had an elevated program.”
Despite being not being a state league competition, the performance in the Ovens and Murray decider when, despite a heavy tag, he imposed himself in the match, swayed the decision for Hine.
“He has got the game for the MCG that is for sure, because he has got the speed and lateral movement.”
Hine pegs him to be a high back player who can release Nick Daicos into more midfield time next year.
Collingwood was sure enough in the player that they were also sure enough that there were not too many other takers for him when they chose to trade their pick 30 to Carlton.
Vocal advocate: Ben Reid during his Collingwood playing days.Credit:Getty Images
They brought in a 2023 second-round pick – replacing one of the two picks they traded out last year during the trade period – and managed to secure their man despite moving back in the order.
Earlier in the night the Pies secured Jake Ryan at pick 28. An intercept-marking backman, he has been likened to Nick Haynes from Greater Western Sydney.
On a (second) night of dreams for kids it was the naming of a teacher, not a pimply student, that was the story of the night, the story of Wangaratta. Just ask Ben Reid.
The genuine downside is Wangaratta will be looking for a new teacher.
