In a regular series, Western Bulldogs player Tory Dickson writes exclusively for Star Weekly.
All my life, all I ever wanted to be was a professional footballer. From kicks with my dad at the park, to now playing at Etihad Stadium and the MCG, that passion I felt when picking up my first football hasn’t changed.
Life has certainly thrown me a few curve balls, but nothing has proven more challenging or rewarding than being a dad.
I’d be lying if I said it was easy, juggling the life of a professional athlete and being a single dad to my son. But to tell you the truth, I wouldn’t change a thing.
I admit that sometimes life as a professional footballer is tough, whether it’s not getting 100 per cent out of myself and how frustrating that can be or receiving direct feedback from my coaches or even the criticism from media.
But after a hard day on the pitch or feeling disappointed in a performance, nothing gets me up more than hearing: “Hey, dad, how was your day?” when I pick my son up from school.
My pathway to the Western Bulldogs is not the one commonly taken. Just two years prior to being drafted, I was playing suburban football. Becoming a professional athlete, although a boyhood dream, was the furthest thing from my mind.
If it wasn’t for then-Bendigo Bombers coach and current Western Bulldogs forward coach Shannon Grant, I may not have even been playing footy.
He convinced me to have one more crack and I’m glad I did. I owe everything to Shannon, along with Brendan McCartney for taking the chance on a 24-year-old forward from Berwick.
It’s been really exciting playing against the best footballers in the nation and I feel extremely fortunate to be where I am, playing for the mighty red, white and blue.
