HAVING a dad who is an AFL recruiter has had its benefits for Josh Clayton during his draft year.
There has been plenty of times where Clayton, the son of Gold Coast list manager and former Fitzroy player Scott, has asked his dad for advice, wondering what he could do better, what he could do more, and how to do it.
Josh knows whatever Scott thinks he needs to improve, it's probably a view shared by recruiters from other clubs.
"It's definitely handy to have a recruiter living in your house and to know what you're doing right and wrong. If anything, I've looked at it as a positive experience and I'm glad it's turned out that way for me," Clayton told AFL.com.au.
But there is one thing Clayton hasn't yet asked – and might not.
Scott's 160-game career with Fitzroy between 1981-90 means Josh qualifies as a father-son selection for the Brisbane Lions, who have nominated him ahead of next week's bidding meeting.
Josh is comfortable knowing by next Monday afternoon he will be drafted to an AFL club – be it the Lions, or another if one chooses to bid and the Lions don't match it.
Clayton hasn't asked his dad whether the Suns will place a bid on him, and isn't sure. "I haven't got an interview with them yet so maybe that's a bit of a sign he's not too keen," he said with a laugh. "It's a funny position to be in."
He found out the Lions would nominate him some weeks ago, when the club's recruiting and retention manager Peter Schwab called Scott Clayton, who then passed on the news to his son.
"Dad let me know that night when I was doing a bit of homework," he said. "It's fair to say I didn't get much work done that night, but the Brisbane staff came over a week later and fully explained the situation."
Clayton knows his situation is unusual. And as much as he has enjoyed having someone to lean on, he thinks it has had a mutual benefit for his dad, too.
"It kind of works both ways a little bit, and he has to ask me what I think about players and I ask him about what his opinion is. It works hand in hand, and well for both of us," Clayton said.
Clayton spent two weeks training at the Lions – one in December last year and another in January – and has always barracked for the club.
At 190cm, athletic and capable of playing a number of positions, Clayton has been used all over the ground through his TAC Cup season with the Sandringham Dragons and in his games with Vic Metro.
His end to the year for the Dragons as a lead-up forward who can move into the midfield seemed to suit best, and felt most natural to him. His next step will take place on Monday, when clubs meet at Etihad Stadium and decide his worth.
"I'm feeling pretty comfortable," he said. "The good thing about being nominated is no matter what I'll get to go in the national draft this year. Hopefully everything goes well."
