The delisting came as a shock to Davies who had played three senior games in his time at Essendon. “I didn’t think I would be a victim of it, nobody ever thinks they will be a victim until they are. It was hugely disappointing,” Davies said.
“I spoke to a lot of people and sought a lot of advice. One of the first people to ring me up was Mark Johnson. Johnno was really positive and he told me to get on the front foot. I did and set up a couple of meetings with Sheeds after I had been delisted and argued my case. It went really well and I got back on the rookie list. I wasn’t ready to leave the club – I love it too much and it is an important part of my life.”
Davies was forced to do a lot of soul searching after his delisting and he was naturally down in the dumps. He contemplated giving it all away and going overseas. “One day I just thought I am not ready to go and I am staying and I have a real point to prove now. If it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out, but you can’t die wondering. There is no point selling yourself short and running away,” Davies said.
Davies has often been criticised for failing to play in the TAC Cup competition and thus not having the proper foundations for an AFL career. Davies opted to captain his school team Xavier in his final year of high school and as a consequence didn’t play under-18 football. There is nothing Davies can do about this decision now and pleaded his case to Bomber coach Kevin Sheedy.
“I think they felt that I hadn’t come on as strongly as maybe they had hoped. In a sense I was still a little bit disadvantaged for not going through the TAC cup. I just pleaded my case and said to Sheeds – I can swim, throw me in the deep end. So maybe he is going to do that,” Davies said.
Davies is extremely grateful for the second chance and realises that 2004 is a make or break year for him. He is not prepared to leave any stone unturned in his quest to make it back onto the senior list. “My body is maturing, I am coping a lot better with the workload. In every drill I do I want to beat Hirdy. So far this pre-season I have been right next to him or just in front of him, instead of him just absolutely taking off. “
It has taken a little bit of adjusting for Davies to go from being a listed player to a player on the rookie list. “Mentally there is a difference. You feel like you are not quite part of the senior group. There are drills that just the rookies do or first year player do. Already being here for three years it is hard to sort of think that you are in that group,” Davies said.
“Playing wise I don’t think there is much of a difference. You can get upgraded straight away, so I don’t think that is a huge issue. Someone else becomes unfortunate and that gives you an opportunity. But that has happened for a lot of guys here in the past. You don’t wish it on anyone to get injured, but if the times does come for you to play you take it.”
In his three years at Essendon, Davies has been used in a variety of roles. Last season for Bendigo he played predominantly at half-back and in the back pocket. This season Davies is hoping he gets a run in the mid-field and believes his fitness is the best it has been to cope with this hugely demanding position. “I have been training for the midfield and that is where I feel I play my best football, but I am not always fortunate to play there. Hopefully I get that opportunity this season,” Davies said.
