Dillon Viojo-Rainbow has risen to prominence in a season that may never have eventuated for the youngster at the Western Jets.
Viojo-Rainbow was faced with the sobering prospect of an interrupted top-age TAC Cup campaign after scans revealed a spinal defect.
The studious 18-year-old took on board doctor’s advice to work overtime to minimise the impact of the abnormality and ensure it didn’t severely impact on his football and lifestyle.
Viojo-Rainbow has gone one better since the diagnosis, producing a breakout season for the Jets and playing his way into AFL recruiters’ notebooks.
“It’s basically little bits of bone that were never there when I was growing and they are missing,” he said.
“That caused a bit of havoc during the preseason, but I got back in the last two weeks [before round one] and I haven’t had the pain since the start of the season.”
Viojo-Rainbow understood the ramifications of sitting on his hands after taking advice from his doctor. The only way to alleviate the pain and ensure his football was not hindered was to be proactive, undertaking regular pilates sessions and intense rehabilitation.
It was an easy decision for Viojo-Rainbow, who has aspired to play AFL football since he first pulled on the jumper as a Hoppers Crossing junior.
“The doctor said there will be days when I wake up feeling fine and there will be days when I wake up and can’t quite get out of bed,” he said.
“He said this could get to the extent where you might not be able to play footy again or be able to play sport. Hearing those words, I took it upon myself to do the pilates and the rehab just to get my body right, not just for footy but for life in general.”
Viojo-Rainbow will be one of the names to look out for on the AFL draft board come November.
One of the most consistent performers in the TAC Cup, Viojo-Rainbow has been named in the Jets’ best in eight of a possible 10 games.
He represented Vic Metro with aplomb at the under-18 national championships and was one of six Jets invited to the AFL draft combine.
“At the start of the season, I didn’t think I’d get to where I’m at,” Viojo-Rainbow said.
“I put it down to the goals I set before the game and what I want to achieve.
“I’m not going out there each week to get into the best, I just want to play my role for the team and let my footy and my role talk for itself.”
Viojo-Rainbow’s best asset is his versatility. The Maribyrnong College student has embraced the variety of roles thrown his way across back, midfield and forward lines.
Jets coach Torin Baker says Viojo-Rainbow has an infectious enthusiasm for the game.
“He’s a really talented player,” Baker said.
“He can kick the ball really flat and really hard over long distances … and the way he reads the footy and his run and carry
is exceptional.
“He’s a football person, knows a lot about the opposition and watches a lot of football, and that all helps him in relation to his footy and in terms of being able to help his teammates.”
Viojo-Rainbow’s consistency has to be admired considering the changing roles thrust upon TAC Cup players these days. He treats it as an opportunity to add more strings to his bow and credits the Jets coaches for the time they put into preparing him for new challenges.
“We’ve got a really good coaching network around us and they’re always open to having chats during the week,” Viojo-Rainbow said.
“We know a change of position is on a Tuesday night, so you have people to talk to all week who notify you of what you need to do and what is expected in that role.”
Viojo-Rainbow, who grew up in Werribee but spent time in Bacchus Marsh, concedes he’s not the finished article, but will leave no stone unturned in the lead up to the draft camp.
He wants to improve his decision making with ball in hands, so he can add a
“bit of polish” to his potent kick, and is constantly working on his one-touch pick-up at ground level.
However, the positives far outweigh the negatives. “He’s giving himself every opportunity [to be drafted], that’s for sure,” Baker said.
