Colts Skipper ready to start his AFL Journey

The Peel Thunder Football Club is elated that one of our talented youngsters from a star studded 2019 Colts program has been rewarded and recruited into the AFL System.

Jarvis Pina was selected by the Fremantle Dockers with their first selection (No. 6 Overall) in the 2019 AFL Rookie Draft and will look to add to the list of the successful players to be drafted via the rookie system. From some of the games’ elite Ruckman in Dean Cox and Aaron Sandilands to Premiership Captains Nick Maxwell and Brett Kirk, there is great history of players finding ways to turn a rookie-list opportunity into a long career at the hightest level. 

Current Thunder Captain Ben Howlett was overlooked in several National Drafts before being taken as a mature aged recruit at pick 30 in the 2009 Rookie Draft by Essendon. Howlett who forged a 124-game career at the Bombers as a hardworking, tough tackling midfielder said while it was great to get on to an AFL list there are no guarantees. 

‘‘It wasn’t easy, I had had to work my way into the team, and I had to take my opportunities,’’ Howlett said. In terms of how he thought Jarvis’ skillset would translate to the next level he continued, “’Jarvy’s  a great talent, he played a number of games with us late last season at League level and obviously played in the successful State 18’s side this year. I believe he showed he has the skills and also great Leadership qualities to make an impact at AFL Level.”

From South Mandurah, Pina is a perfect example of how the 19-year-old over-ager Rule in the WAFL Colts can benefit certain players. Jarvis was a late developing player who was initially on the fringe of our U16’s Program. 

“I was just really driven to improve and worked hard to be the best I could be.”  Pina said.

Pina is someone who wears his heart on his sleeve and tries to help those around him, he spent time with some of the U14’s players earlier this year and tried to impart some of his gained knowledge on to them. A natural leader, he became Colts Captain this season and led them through a successful season all the way to the Grand Final, ultimately falling just short.

“It was a tough year, being part of the State 18’s meant I was away for most of the season and then I played a 4-5 games at League when I came back to finish the season. It made it really challenging as a leader, I was really proud though of what we achieved as a group but at the same time a little disappointed that we couldn’t finish off with a Premiership.”

Jarvis will begin training with Freo immediately and is ready to get into it.

“I’m just so happy that I get an opportunity and I can’t wait to get started and give it everything.”

Peel Thunder Football Club once again offers its congratulations to Jarvis along with his family in taking the first step in realising his dream of becoming an AFL footballer. We wish him every success on his journey and look forward to seeing him running around at David Grays Arena a few more times next year through our alignment with Fremantle, continuing his development towards an AFL Debut.