Their AFL debut is a moment all footballers can recall.
Whether a career spans five or 15 years, the day one first crosses the white line for their first AFL game is forever etched in the mind.
After being selected with pick 67 in last year’s national draft Brad Scheer returned home to the Gold Coast to continue his AFL dream.
His surroundings weren’t foreign, having been a part of the Gold Coast Talent Academy since he was 12 and living just 15km away from the club.
Despite suffering pneumonia and missing the JLT Community Series earlier in the year, Scheer’s existing fitness and skill level, a by-product of his time in the Academy, didn’t diminish and he went from strength-to-strength in his early days of life at the top level.
By the time we was running out in the NEAFL squad, something he was able to do in 2016 as an Acadmey top-up, Scheer was not only looking at home, but his potential as a footballer was clear.
WATCH: Rocket tells Scheer the news
Senior Coach Rodney Eade said the 18-year-old had been consistent since the moment he returned to the club as a member of the senior list.
“Brad from day one hasn’t missed a beat,” Eade told the media.
“It’s a great message for all the local lads on the Coast, he’s a product of the Academy, Palm Beach boy, he’s done the hard yards, he’s worked really hard and diligently.
“He’s put four or five really good games together, he’s deserved his spot even though he was a bit shocked by it when I told him on Tuesday.
Scheer echoed this shock, telling media on Thursday it still hadn’t quite sunk it he would be making his debut.
“I’m a bit surprised my fitness and my skill level came up straight away (after being sick) but obviously stoked to get the call up and I can’t wait to run out with the boys on the weekend.
“He said ‘you’re in’ and I didn’t really know what to believe, I still can’t really [believe it].
“I’m sure by the time Saturday night comes around I’ll be ready to go.”
A large contingent of family and friends, along with former teammates from Palm Beach and other junior AFL programs across the Gold Coast are expected at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night to support Scheer in his debut.
“The whole family, extended family, friends, 50 odd will probably come from Palm Beach.
WATCH: Rodney Eade presser
“I’m really excited to play in front of them.”
The inside-midfielder role on Saturday will be clear, to apply the tackling pressure he’s beginning to trademark and put his body on the line.
“He [Eade] just mentioned the tackling pressure in the forward 50…he just wants me to come in and do what I do in the NEAFL- tackle hard, just play simple footy and put my body on the line,” Scheer said.
While many individuals have played an integral role in getting Scheer to this point in his career, the influence of Academy Coach Andrew Raines and Talent Academy Manager Jason Torney cannot be understated.
“It’s really an elite program now, and that’s why in the last two to three years we’ve had boys drafted and now playing AFL games consistently, credit to the work Tornes and Rainsy and everyone a part of the program that got all the players ready to go almost straight away not just drafted,” said Scheer .
“Probably wouldn’t be in this position without being in that Academy.”
