Sarah Oliver
Western Jets small forward Paul Curtis is looking good for the 2022 AFL draft.
The Melton local has been speaking to numerous clubs in the lead-up to the draft in November, with about eight clubs seriously interested in moving forward.
At the prospect of playing professionally next year, Curtis said it’s nerve wracking, but that he’s “very excited, very keen”.
He said it’s “exciting just being in the environment” of the drafting world.
Curtis found his love for the game at 11-years-old when he started playing for Melton South.
“At that age I was just playing for fun … just playing with my mates from school,” he said.
But when he reached the under-16 team, he realised how serious he was about the sport after making a few squads and having his name out there.
“I started taking it a bit more serious, as well as still having fun,” he said.
The last two years have been challenging for the 18-year-old with constant lockdowns and restrictions putting a hold on community sports.
But Curtis has had a positive outlook on the challenges of the pandemic, and found the extra time to train independently has improved his game.
“It’s kind of been somewhat good for me because I could have my own independence and I could work on things that I need to work on,” he said.
Another hurdle for Curtis was contracting COVID-19 which made it “a bit challenging not being able to go outside and exercise”.
Even without having the virus, he wouldn’t have made it to the planned combine as it was cancelled due to restrictions.
But luckily for Curtis, there will be a training session in mid-November for scouts and media to attend.
After that, it’s draft day Curtis will be focusing on next and he plans to impress.
“Endurance is a big one” when it comes to improvements, he said.
He also wants to work on his midfield craft.
“I don’t want to be a one-dimensional player just playing in the forward line,” he said.
In training and on the field, Curtis said he models his game off medium forwards Bayley Fritsch from Melbourne and Luke Bruce from Hawthorn.
Although a Carlton supporter, Curtis would “love to play for Geelong”.
But for now, he will continue playing for the Jets where he feels “I blend in really well down there”.
