- The teenager is trying to use the tragedy as motivation
An exciting AFL prospect has revealed all about about the horrific tragedy he had to endure when his father died after suffering a heart attack at his Year 10 graduation ceremony.
Avery Thomas, now 16-years-old, has emerged from a nightmare period to become the No.1 draft prospect from Tasmania.
The teenager was selected in his state’s under-16s team in 2023, but was then dropped and left feeling he may have missed the boat.
It was the start of a difficult sequence for Thomas, with his father passing away after suffering a shock heart attack months later.
While sitting at his Year 10 graduation, a moment expected to be one of the teen’s most memorable life moments, Avery’s father Clyde fell ill.
Despite the best efforts of first responders, He was unable to be revived and died at the scene.
Avery Thomas’s late father Clyde (pictured next to Avery) was a main source of inspiration for the teenager
Thomas (pictured) is viewed as a rising AFL star and one of the game’s biggest prospects
The Tasmanian born rookie models his game off Collingwood star Brayden Maynard
‘It was obviously really sudden and really out of the blue … I feel like it made me realise that tomorrow isn’t promised,’ Thomas told 7NEWS Melbourne.
‘He was good that morning, but by lunchtime he was gone.’
The teenager has also revealed how important his mother Alison has been in this difficult period.
‘Mum’s been awesome, by my side literally the whole way’, he said.
‘She’s always pushing me to be better and pushes me as hard as I can to achieve my goals, which I love.’
His comments come just days before the AFL draft takes place next week.
It’s shaping up to be a landmark day for the teen, with his close friends and family set to meet up and watch the event together.
‘I’m super, super nervous … just obviously get to draft night and hopefully get my name called out,’ he said.
‘The dream of playing AFL football in front of a crowd of 90,000 … it’s a bit of a pinch me moment, I’d be stoked and probably speechless to be honest.’
The rising star’s mother Alison (pictured with Avery) has been a rock through a tumultuous period for their family
Thomas (pictured next to representative teammate Lucas Wooton) has shown a remarkable amount of mental strength
The teenager has played all his junior footy in the Tasmanian city of Launceston
This year’s national draft will be held over two nights – on Wednesday, November 19 and Thursday, November 20.
The rookie draft and pre-season draft will be held the following afternoon on Friday, November 21.
And the opening night of the national draft will be an in-person live event at Marvel Stadium.
Avery Thomas, and his family will be watching with keen interest.
