WHILE playing at AFL level has always been a dream for Charlie Wilson, it was only six weeks ago he truly believed it could become a reality.
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“I had an alright game at that point and I think that belief has built from there,” he said.
The second-year Greater Western Victoria Rebels forward has kicked the second-most goals in the TAC Cup this season with two rounds to play.
“It’s really exciting to know clubs are looking at you,” he said.
“It’s just another step closer to realising a dream. I wasn’t expecting an invite to the combine.”
Wilson has been one of the Rebels best six players in all but two games this season and has only been held goalless three times.
He said his coaches had help instil him with greater self confidence this season.
“They’ve had me working as more of a full forward so it has been about hitting up on the lead, making lots of contests and then creating forward pressure,” he said.
“I’ve played as more of a target and that has suited me better. Over the last six months I’ve become a lot more confident.”
Midway through the season Wilson missed out on chance to be selected for the Vic Country side at the under-18 national carnival.
He said that while he was initially disappointed for short period he then used it as motivation to spur himself on.
“That helped me perform better for the rest of the season,” he said.
“There are plenty of different ways to get to the AFL.”
While his role within the Rebels setup has seen him play prominently as a forwardline target in 2018, the 18-year-old has also shown an ability to play through the midfield and run off the half-back line.
He said that once the TAC Cup season ended he would look to further increase his fitness levels ahead of the October draft combine.
“We’ll be doing quite a few running sessions on weekends and then it will be work in the gym during the weeks in preparation,” he said.
“We want to maintain fitness and, if we can, we want to improve our fitness even more.”
The yo-yo test and the 20-metre sprint will be Wilson’s main focuses at the combine but he thinks there is plenty of room for improvement across the board.
He said the Warrack Eagles had had a big impact developing him to his point.
“Tim Christen coached me from the time I was about eight until I was 14 and has always helped me out a lot,” he said.
“Then over the last few years Ryan McKenzie has been a pretty big influence as well.
“I always love going back there to play with the guys I’ve grown up playing alongside and it’s great when I get to play with my brother.”
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