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Meet the Writers

Andy BellairsSports reporter

Andy Bellairs is a sports writer and digital producer with CODE Sports. He comes from a long sports radio background with the iconic Coodabeen Champions and has an Order of Australia Medal for services to entertainment (Radio).

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Cooper Stevens, Dylan Smith, Danny Roach, Marcus Drum, Lewis Johnston

Inside story: What happens when an AFL dream doesn’t work out?

Being a top pick in the AFL draft doesn’t guarantee a long career in the big time, so what happens if a dream doesn’t pan out? Read our series of draft lessons from those who’ve lived the journey.

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Troy Selwood was the school's head of football. Picture: Geelong Grammar

How the ‘belief’ of Troy Selwood led former top draftee to the AFL

Cooper Stephens had a long term injury in his draft year of 2019, but the late Troy Selwood believed in him and, Stephens says, was a ‘big part’ of getting him to the Cats.

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AFL football - Adelaide Crows vs Fremantle match at AAMI Stadium - footballer Lewis Johnston.

Ex-Crow’s new path helping AFL stars after brutal, ‘expected’ axing

Port Pirie kid Lewis Johnston never thought he’d make the big leagues. Now, after a career that couldn’t get going, he’s helping today’s players avoid critical financial errors.

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30/03/2001. Essendon v Kangaroos at MCG. Dylan Smith reflects on his first game with the Kangaroo's. football. Digital Image.

‘The world opened up’: Inside the relief when an AFL dream ends

He was drafted at pick six — and fell out of the AFL system five years later. Two decades on, Dylan Smith remembers the relief that the pressure to make it was finally off his shoulders.

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AFL Collingwood vs Fremantle at the MCG. Marcus Drum kicks the last goal.

Quads, detached retina: Top AFL draft pick’s sad moment of clarity

Twenty years after being selected at pick 10, Marcus Drum opens up about the moment he knew his AFL dream was over and the unexpected silver lining that followed.

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dreamtime at the g 20 years

Wellness, fireys, father sons: First Dreamtime players 20 years on

It started as a Kevin Sheedy brainwave one rainy Saturday afternoon in July, 2005. 20 years on from the first ever Dreamtime at the ‘G, where are the Tigers and Bombers who were a part of it?

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Anzac Day where are they now

30 years on: Where ‘95 Anzac Day Pies, Dons are now

The Collingwood-Essendon Anzac Day tradition started with a draw all the way back in 1995. Who played in that epic? And what are they doing 30 years later? We look at every name.

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Promo art for Danny Roach

Washed up at 19: The rise, fall and rebuild of Danny Roach

Danny Roach went from realising his dream of being drafted to quitting football within two years. The former Magpie tells ANDY BELLAIRS how he rebuilt his life after a chastening AFL experience.

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Damian Adkins, Fitzy, Fiora, Shirley

Radio, farmers, fishermen: Where are all 86 2000 debutants now?

In 2000, 86 young – and some not so young – men graced an AFL field for the first time. 25 years on, where are they now? Find out where all 86 are in 2025.

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