Drummond praised for contribution
Following the announcement of Brisbane Lion Josh Drummond's retirement, his under-16s coach Michael Hay has described the former Coast junior as the hardest working player he has had the pleasure of mentoring.
Starting out as a Maroochydore Roos junior, Drummond quickly impressed with his strong work ethic and ability to adapt to any situation.
His hard work was rewarded in 1999 when his team won the Sunshine Coast's under-16 premiership, which proved to be a turning point for the up-and-comer.
"He never had a lot of pace like other players did, but that didn't bother him because he was such a wonderful reader of the game," Hay said.
"Josh wasn't the biggest bloke either, but his footy smarts made him such a valuable part of the team. Halfway through that season, I knew he was going to go on to great things in the AFL and that's exactly what he did."
Following the 1999 season, Drummond was picked up by Brisbane's Zillmere Eagles (formerly the Northern Eagles) and in 2003 won the club's best-and-fairest award.
He was drafted that year by Brisbane, where he built a reputation for his pinpoint left boot and attacking style across half-back.
Hay said those qualities were apparent from an early age in Drummond.
"I put a lot of Josh's success down to his temperament and his tenacity," he said. "He was a very determined player, which was evidenced in his ability to continue to come back from serious injury."
AFL Queensland Sunshine Coast area development manager Mark Kennedy was equally as glowing in describing the contribution Drummond, 29, had made to the game on the Coast.
"Apart from being a fine player, he is also a fine man who has remained a shining example for sport on the Sunshine Coast," Kennedy said. "He's got so much to offer the game and I hope he stays involved in the AFL in some capacity."
Brisbane Lions coach Michael Voss said Drummond's football brain made him a likely contender to shift to the coaching ranks.
Article written by Anthony Brand for The Sunshine Coast Daily
http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2012/09/27/drummond-praised-for-contribution-sports/
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