A draft prospect, a five dollar note and Brisbane Lions Legend Jonathan Brown - how do these things come together?
Joe Atley, the Captain of the Bendigo Pioneers and a talented youngster who is hoping to be picked up in this year’s draft, told a very interesting story on Trade Radio on Friday this week.
Atley grew up as a Brisbane Lions supporter, and said that when he was around 6-8 years old he decided to take matters into his own hands after hearing that Lions Legend Jonathan Brown was thinking of going to Collingwood.
“When I was about 6-8 years old, Jonathan Brown was thinking of leaving and going to Collingwood, and I wasn’t too happy about that - I was very upset,” Atley said.
“So then I sent five dollars in the mail and a handwritten letter saying ‘hopefully this will keep you at the Club Jono,’ and they sent it back probably about a week later and said ‘you won’t need it, Jono Brown is staying and next time you’re in Melbourne you can go and meet him and see him at a game.’
“That was pretty exciting.”
Atley Admits that he’s a ‘North Melbourne man now' after his brother Shaun was picked up by the Kangaroos in the 2010 Draft, but we’re sure he still has a soft spot for us.
Profile: Joe Atley
Midfielder
186cm/84kg
4/8/98
Bendigo Pioneers/Vic Country
Atley is the younger brother of North Melbourne defender Shaun, although the pair play in different ways. Joe has established himself as one of the better ball-winning midfielders in this year's crop, showing his hard approach at the contest and ability to zip away with the ball tucked under his arm. Atley is strong-bodied, neat with the ball and can also push forward to kick a goal – he has booted five in seven TAC Cup games this year.
How he describes himself as a player:
“I like to watch players like Luke Parker and Ben Cunnington. I’m probably sort of that inside midfielder who can go forward and kick a goal.”
Joe Atley runs with the ball as he completes the Goal Kicking Assessment during the NAB AFL Draft Combine. (Photo by Scott Barbour/AFL Media)
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