The Woodend community is getting behind one of its own as he hopes to achieve his AFL dreams.
Cooper Duff-Tytler is set to become one of a rare group from the local community to make their way onto an AFL list.
Duff-Tytler started his football with Woodend Junior Football Netball Club, before moving into the Woodend-Hesket Football Netball Club.
It’s believed he is set to be just the fourth player to have played for Woodend to be drafted to the AFL.
Dean Putt, Dylan Smith and current Kyneton under-19 coach Daniel Sipthorp have all been drafted having played at Woodend.
For Duff-Tytler, it all started in Woodend.
“My footy memories as a young kid in Woodend are pretty basic,” he said. “I just remember looking forward to Sunday all week to the time I got to play footy with my mates.
Some great friends like Willem Hanegraaf always made junior footy fun and why I loved it so much.”
Among his junior coaches were his dad Jason and Tony Hanegraaf.
After mixing both football and basketball for a number of years, both successfully, Duff-Tytler made the call late last year to focus on football.
He has since been named in the AFL Academy, trained at Essendon and made his Victorian Football League debut and played for Vic Metro in the under-18 national championships.
One of the key moments the past couple of years was making a senior debut for Woodend-Hesket last season alongside his brother Tobi.
“The Woodend Hawks mean a lot to me. It’s where I started my footy journey and the ongoing support from the club is pretty special,” he said.
“My advice for young kids wanting to play AFL would be to find what you are good at and make sure to focus on that and try and use those strengths each week to help your team, but also just make sure to enjoy the journey.”
Experts believe Duff-Tytler will go within the first five picks on draft night.
Woodend-Hesket Football Netball Club co-president Paul Podbury is calling for the community to come down to Gilbert-Gordon Oval, Woodend on draft night. The rooms will be open from 6pm on November 19.
He said both local football clubs were proud of what Duff-Tytler had achieved.
“Everyone is welcome to join us as we cheer for Cooper when his name is called – a moment that represents years of community support, from junior footy Sundays to this incredible milestone.
“A testament to what happens when talent meets dedication and a community that encourages kids to dream big.
“Come down, be part of the celebration, and show Cooper the support of the community that helped shape him into the young man he is today.”
