It's been a whirlwind ride for you over the past few weeks after your match-winning four-goal performance against Fremantle, and your subsequent Rising Star nomination. How have you found life as an AFL player so far?
AW: Since I came to the club, I aimed to have a good pre-season and really work hard. As a rookie, you don't expect much in your first year, but I just said: 'I'm going to work hard here' and since then I got elevated and it's been really good.
What did receiving a Rising Star nomination mean to you?
AW: I went out there and just played and I was pretty rapt to find out about it on the Monday. We aren't going that well, so it was good a Melbourne player got it in round seven.
How have you found the media attention on you in recent weeks?
AW: I didn't do any media training, so I just spoke how I thought. Last week [after receiving the Rising Star nomination] was a good experience with the media. I've still got a lot of learning to do.
Melbourne and footy fans alike are relishing your excitement and what you bring to the game. How do you feel about that?
AW: I just got told to play my own football and to believe in my own ability and try and create something there from nothing. I just play my normal game.
You played for the Northern Territory under-18 side as an over-age player and also for Norwood in 2007. Can you talk about time with those two teams last year?
AW: I really enjoyed playing for the Northern Territory, with a lot of my mates from Darwin. When I got overlooked [in the NAB AFL Draft], I thought my chances were gone, so I just started to work hard and I played for Norwood. I got some time [off] from Norwood to play in the under-18s last year, and I played in the back-pocket and the back-flank.
You're now known as a forward in the AFL. What position do you enjoy more?
AW: It doesn't worry me. As a junior, I played up forward and back and I realised if I was to play AFL footy, I'd have to play as a crumbing forward.
Melbourne and Adelaide were both interested in you last year and Crow Nathan Bassett has recently talked about how he wanted his club to draft you. What was you feeling around draft time and which club did you think was most interested?
AW: To be honest, I hadn't spoken to Melbourne throughout the whole draft and I thought it would be good to be drafted by Adelaide and stay in Norwood. I actually did a fitness test with Adelaide - me and about 25 blokes … I was pretty surprised when Melbourne [took] me.
You are one of four Indigenous players at the club, along with Aaron Davey, Matthew Whelan and Isaac Weetra. How much has helped you having those guys at the club?
AW: It's been really good. It's something I'll never forget in my football career, coming to a club as a rookie and not really expecting much in my first year, but guys like Aaron and Isaac, who is in his second year, have helped me a bit. When I came here, I didn't say much to the boys and I was quiet and hung around Aaron and Isaac. But now I'm gelling with the boys. It took me about two weeks to gel with the other boys, but now I've gelled in well.
Aaron has really taken you under his wing hasn't he? He recently said you were a "good little kid".
AW: I've got a few tips off him. If Aaron, Matty or Isaac weren't here, I reckon I wouldn't have been the bloke I am now. I'm pretty happy and settled in. I've still got a lot of development to learn about the game and about myself.
Who were your role models growing up?
AW: I was a Richmond supporter and growing up I liked Joel Bowden and I liked David Wirrpanda from West Coast. I was a mad Richmond supporter, so I used to watch every game on the TV.
This round is Indigenous Round. What does that recognition mean as a person and as a footballer?
AW: It really means a lot for all indigenous players and past players and indigenous communities. We don't get to play in the Dreamtime at the 'G, like Richmond and Essendon, but having that round is good for us. I reckon it's good for little indigenous kids, who watch the game and have role models. They can have someone to look up to.
Would you like to feature in an Indigenous representative side in the future?
AW: I'd love to. I've seen that in the last couple of weeks with the Dream Team. I spoke to "Stiffy" [Graham Johncock] last week and he said it was really good and fun to play for the Dream Team. If they had an Aboriginal All-Stars . . . that'd be great to play in that.
