Purple power gets Weller as No.1 pick
Fremantle's first pick in last night's national draft spent 2014 with a picture of Nat Fyfe stuck to his wall.
Lachlan Weller is a 181cm midfielder who was part of the AFL Academy and whose brother Maverick plays for St Kilda.
Raised in Tasmania, the Wellers moved to Queensland when Gold Coast chose Maverick.
While AFL isn't the number one sport in Queensland, Weller has always been a footy fanatic and said Fyfe stood out as a player he aspired to be like.
"This year I had Nat Fyfe's photo up on my wall," Weller said.
"He's someone I definitely look up to. I'll be a bit starstruck but I can't wait to meet him. What's there not to love about him? I love the way he plays his footy.
"He's hard at it and he's just grown so much as a footballer. He's really made the most of his opportunity."
Ironically, former Fremantle coach Mark Harvey has also played a role in Weller's approach to football.
Harvey is now an assistant coach at Essendon and interviewed Weller before the draft. He told the on-baller not to be concerned about the stars he would be training alongside and to embrace the experience.
Weller, 18, said he wanted to make an immediate impression at Fremantle and was looking forward to breaking into a strong midfield.
"He (Harvey) said don't seek advice from third-year players or second-year players, go straight to 10-year players because they know how to fit in and they know how it's done. I'll be going to those sorts of boys," Weller said.
"It means the best players are at the club, so I can drain as much information as I can out of them and help me to improve as a player."
Fremantle recruiting manager Brad Lloyd said the Dockers loved Weller's skill, athleticism and professionalism. He said that would make him an ideal addition to the club.
Weller has already moved interstate once because of football. His family moved to Queensland to assist with Maverick's transition to the AFL and Weller said he always knew he'd have to move again to fulfil his dream.
While most of the players drafted last night were still living the dream, Weller has seen how quickly a football career can slip away.
He said being part of Maverick's rise to the Suns, then seeing him de-listed before getting another chance at St Kilda, was a clear example of how hard it was to have a successful AFL career.
"It's a cutthroat industry and you've got to take every opportunity you get. Mav was lucky enough to get a second chance," Weller said.
"I could see the way Mav lives and then spending a bit of time at an AFL club over the pre-season, I could see what sort of things they go through. I've been preparing myself for that.
"I've already done a big move. I was expecting a move.
"It's fine. I can't wait to get over there."
"This year I had Nat Fyfe's photo up on my wall. He's someone I definitely look up to.""Fremantle recruit *Lachlan Weller *
