When rebounding defender Massimo D’Ambrosio joined Essendon, the club was in disarray. It had registered just two wins to nine losses at the conclusion of round 11 – when the 19-year-old was picked up in the mid-season draft – and Bombers great Matthew Lloyd had just publicly slammed their poor performance and lack of toughness.
But in what was a frustrating and tumultuous year for Bomber fans, the young defender was a bright spark.
Sam Draper congratulates Massimo D’Ambrosio after the Bombers’ round 14 win against St Kilda.Credit:Getty Images
He admitted he “definitely felt the love” from Essendon fans after his debut game in round 14, and after he received a rising star nomination in their round 16 win over Sydney, when he recorded 23 disposals. He became the first mid-season recruit to receive the nod in the same year he was drafted.
He booted four goals in his eight games and became known for his penetrating left-kick.
But for the Bombers, things got worse as the season went on. By the end of D’Ambrosio’s first season, the team was left without a coach, as Ben Rutten was sacked following the club’s unsuccessful pursuit of Alastair Clarkson, and a CEO after Xavier Campbell stepped down.
D’Ambrosio said he “didn’t think too much” about the outside noise that was going on this year but said he appreciated the leadership from senior players, particularly skipper Dyson Heppell.
“There were things that came out in the media that us as a playing group had to speak to a few people about because we were pretty unsure about what was going on,” said D’Ambrosio.
“But I think at the end of the day, we all just kind of put that aside and us as a playing group just really wanted to maintain that culture. Because we have a pretty good culture, and we didn’t want anything coming in the way of it.
“The leaders, especially the senior players of the group, were really important in that period because especially as young players, we don’t really know what to think about it… So they kind of held us in a good headspace, which was good. They were really strong.”
Heppell’s captaincy has been in question since the start of the year, and new coach Brad Scott recently held off guaranteeing the role was his next year.
But D’Ambrosio spoke highly of the captain’s impact, and said he was critical in helping the club through the year while keeping the culture intact.
“Heppell, I can literally speak to him about anything and he will help me out, which is really good. And especially as a young player, I’m trying to get as much advice as possible, so I can be better every day. So having him is very, yeah, it’s very, very special.”
He added the other half-backs took him under his wing, including Mason Redman, Andrew McGrath and Nick Hind.
While D’Ambrosio said he has always prioritised having things outside of football, this has become especially true now in the AFL system, which can be mentally and physically demanding.
Massimo D’Ambrosio and Will Setterfield wrestle at Essendon training recently.Credit:AFL Photos
“It gets so mentally tolling and it’s just so draining sometimes … So it’s very important when you go home and whatever, you have something to kind of do that’s not footy related.
“But I think, if you love what you’re doing like I do, I think, yeah, that kind of takes care of itself. So yeah, having that balance, I think is very key, especially in like a professional sporting environment”.
Something that keeps the young gun grounded is his weekly or fortnightly dinner with his family.
“My favourite meal is a plate of gnocchi and she [his nonna] cooks the best gnocchi, ever. So, when she does that, I’m always looking forward to going there,” D’Ambrosio laughed.
“I love spending time with family and it’s kind of like a way of … not even thinking about footy or anything like that, which is the best, like I just go there for the purpose of spending time with my grandparents.”
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