DYLAN Barry recently had a football experience he’ll never forget.
The 20-year-old Northern Territorian – he hails from Alice Springs, plays for Southern Districts in the Northern Territory Football League and is part of the Red Tails (a team Melbourne has partnered with in the NT) – recently spent two weeks at Melbourne and was immersed in the club’s day-to-day life.
Barry, who is the cousin of former Demon and now Port Adelaide player, Dom, said the opportunity to spend time with the club was something he’ll always cherish.
But he doesn’t want his visit to Melbourne to be a one-off, as his time at the club has inspired him to chase his dream of one day playing in the AFL.
“It was a massive experience. It’s pretty special,” he told Melbourne Media.
“It’s a unique experience for an Alice Springs local to come down to Melbourne and be in the big smoke of things and see the professionalism of an AFL club.
“It’s a pretty cool experience.”
Barry mixes with Melbourne players during his time at the club
Barry said the opportunity to train, chat with players and coaches, such as senior coach Simon Goodwin, were among his highlights from his two weeks at Melbourne.
And he said “being on your game every single moment of the day” was the biggest lesson he learned from his time at Melbourne.
“If it’s in team meetings or trainings – you’ve got to be giving your best the whole time and there is no time for slackness or being behind the pack,” he said.
“You’ve got to put your best foot forward and give your best every time.”
Barry said the Red Tails had played “a massive” part in his football development – and his overall life.
Red Tails, a club in Central Australia, was set up by Rob Clarke, who founded it to help drive change in the community.
It’s main aim, along with playing in the NTFL in Darwin, was to create a team that gives strong, healthy pathways in behaviour, job readiness and healthy living, along with bridging the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Central Australians. Creating unity and pride throughout Central Australia and beyond remains an essential part of the club’s ethos.
Looking ahead, one possibility for Barry is to further his football future with Casey Demons in 2019, but he knows there is plenty of work for that to happen.
Still, Barry said his plan now was to come back at the end of the season and “have a real crack” at playing footy in Victoria.
“I’m very excited about it, but there is a lot of work to do,” he said,
“It’s a really good opportunity I’ve been given.”
And one that he’s ready and willing to take.
