While Tynan was in an unfamiliar environment he had some inkling on what to expect when he lobbed at Melbourne. His brother Luke had spent the season at Casey Scorpions - Melbourne's VFL aligned club - and Josh had spent some time training with them in recent weeks before Melbourne called his name at No.52 on draft night. To say he was happy with the direction he found his life heading is an understatement. "It's been amazing," said Tynan, "everyone is so excited about the future of the club."
Tynan, who turned 18 on November 6, was impressive with Gippsland Power in 2011, playing in defence on the opposition's tall forwards and performing well despite being undersized occasionally. He then represented Vic Country in the AFL Under-18 Championships where he had the opportunity to play on the small forwards. His performances were impressive enough that his résumé soon included the words, defender who can play on talls and smalls.
It's perhaps the reason initial descriptions have used outstanding young Demon defender Jack Grimes as a basis for comparison. By coincidence Tynan is living with Grimes at the moment before moving in with a host family next week. Tynan is enjoying the experience, making the most of the opportunity to learn from his new teammate firing off questions as each challenge arrives. "He's been awesome," said Tynan.
Tynan is an impressive athlete, with outstanding aerobic capacity, who burned on the track while a student at Marist-Sion College in Warragul. It will stand him in good stead as he enters Melbourne's demanding program.
One thing that can be guaranteed about Tynan is that he will make the most of his opportunity. When he was dropped from the Gippsland Power team for the 2010 finals he was disappointed but his response impressed everyone. He joined the team after each win with a big grin and sang the song with as much gusto as those who had played in the game. And he resolved to get better: "That was pretty tough for me at the time," admitted Tynan. "I realised I had to make another step up in my game to make it to the next level. I went back and worked hard on my game and tried to improve as much as I could."
In 2011 he performed well for the Power in the finals, further stamping his credentials.
His brother Luke was often alongside him as they worked hard to improve. Josh wanted to improve his speed specifically and his fitness generally. "He's been massive. We've pushed each other over the years," said Josh when asked about the role his brother played.
Josh is part of a highly respected family in Victoria. Luke's uncle was Steven Tynan, the 22-year-old Victorian policeman killed at Walsh Street alongside his colleague Damian Eyre in October 1988 five years before Josh was born. Josh has been to several functions honouring his late uncle and understands Steven's significance in Victorian history.
Now the brothers are making their own name. Luke was runner-up in the Casey Scorpions reserves best and fairest but even more significantly won the captain's award for his approach to his game. Josh has the same characteristics of talent matched with discipline matched with humility. It's a mix that gives a player a chance of making the grade.
He will need time. He is young, thin and although he has come through an outstanding junior program at Garfield and impressed everyone at Gippsland Power the leap he is making is massive. Gippsland Power's regional manager Peter Francis gives a realistic appraisal. "He needs to build his body up. He has terrific speed, a good motor and good hands but he will need to work on his body. I think it will take him a little time to accustom to AFL football but he will be a terrific player," said Francis.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
