Meet the AFL prospect with the best kick in this year’s draft class

Josh Lindsay starts each day the same way.

Ever since the Geelong Falcons’ top AFL prospect was about 12 years old, he wakes to an alarm, showers, then spends roughly 15 minutes honing his kicking skills – arguably the best in this year’s draft – in the family garage.

There are footballs and boots scattered everywhere, goal posts on the back wall of the garage to aim at, and a rebound net to maximise how many kicks Lindsay can perform in a short period.

“It’s something a bit different that I do, but I think it goes a long way. I really enjoy doing it, so each morning I’m in the garage getting plenty of touches in before I attack the day,” he told The Age.

“Kicking is the main strength of my game, and I put it down to all the hard work that I’ve done, from a young age. Dad’s been big on making sure my skills are clean, so before and after training, and obviously during, I put so much effort into my kicking, and how it makes me a good player.”

It is an insight into why Lindsay will be a first-round draft pick next week – and what it takes to stand out from the thousands of kids who dream of being where he is about to be.

Take note, AFL hopefuls.

His lethal, laser-like left boot wreaked havoc all year playing for the Falcons, Victoria Country, the AFL Academy and Geelong Grammar School, whether at half-back, as a midfielder or on the wings.

Lindsay expects to begin his career in defence, but hopes to eventually prove his wares as an onballer. Whether recruiters envision the same could determine how early he is taken on Wednesday night, but he is widely viewed as a top-20 selection.

The 18-year-old could hardly have done more.

He won the best-on-ground medal playing for Team Heppell in last year’s under-17 Futures match on AFL grand final day, which he backed up by earning the same honour in the AFL Academy’s win over VFL club Coburg in April.

Lindsay also starred at the under-18 national championships, making the All-Australian side, and was named in the Talent League’s team of the year, so he has not stopped ticking boxes.

You need only to watch this self-confessed “football nuffy” perform one of his pre-training warm-up drills to appreciate the professionalism and attention to detail that have scouts raving about him.

Lindsay runs onto the ground early, usually with four cones in hand – all different colours – and proceeds to do various footwork drills and execute different kicks on the run, with a focus on the most difficult ones through the corridor.

As for the cones, he will set them out, then weave in and out of them as quickly as possible before nailing his target.

Lindsay’s scenario work will sometimes include a teammate leading inside forward 50m for him to hit lace-out after scooping up a Sherrin on the burst.

“I like to play on instinct, and I back my decision-making, which is one thing that I feel like I’m really good at,” he said.

“Being able to hit all different types of kicks across the ground and be versatile in my kicking is something I think goes a long way.”

Some of Lindsay’s peers found it challenging to avoid going on an emotional rollercoaster throughout their draft season, from playing for various teams, to the hectic game schedule, the pressure of the championships and even media attention.

But he said his longstanding passion for the game, including binge-watching as many AFL matches as possible every weekend during the season, helped him deal with the experience.

“I love the two hours at training, and the game is the best part of my week. You go out and play with your best mates, and do the thing you love. That’s what makes it so great,” Lindsay said.

“I pride myself on my professionalism, and getting the best out of myself, whether it’s with my gym, recovery, training and even my diet – I’m pretty big on those things. I just want to get to a football club, put my best foot forward and have a good and consistent career.”

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