Nathan Laracy admits his Werribee Tigers career “hasn’t really gone to plan”.
The bearded defender took five long seasons to establish himself as a senior regular – a sporting eternity for someone who left Barnawartha on the Albury-Wodonga border at a young age for the bright lights of regular VFL football.
“When I first came to the club, we had that much experience around, it made it a bit hard [to break into the senior team],” Laracy told Star Weekly.
Not one to throw in the towel, the 25-year-old turned up to every Tigers’ training session and sponged information off more experienced players.
He produced at a high level and the accolades followed at the second tier, with captaincy and best-and-fairest honours.
A nice body of work but, for some reason, Laracy kept being overlooked, until an injury last season created a long-term opening.
Laracy put his hand up for the role in the seniors’ backline having served a lengthy apprenticeship – and he has not looked back.
“I took my opportunity … and now I’m getting consistent senior games, which is good.”
Laracy’s long stay at Werribee may not have happened without his family. In his early days in Melbourne, his world was turned upside down when he received a phone call from his father telling him his older brother Simon – his idol growing up – had been in a serious workplace accident.
“He passed away when I was on my way home from Melbourne and I didn’t get to see my brother,” Laracy said.
He contemplated returning to Barnawartha but his family insisted he go back to Melbourne to pursue his football dream.
Although Simon is gone, Laracy knows his brother wanted him to go on also, and he feels his brother has been with him in spirit on his football journey ever since.
“He was a massive reason why I didn’t end up going home … I’m sure he would’ve been pretty disappointed if I didn’t stick at footy and try and do something with the opportunity that I had been given.”
Laracy now feels comfortable in the Werribee senior side, without taking his role for granted. A member of the Tigers’ leadership group last season and 2014 club player of the finals, he credits coach John Lamont for having faith in him.
“That’s what you need, just that little bit of belief from someone who backs you in,” Laracy said. “He’s taught me a lot, gone through footage and picked out stuff that I really needed to work on.
“He’ll tell you what you don’t want to hear, but it’s what you need to hear.”
Laracy is a carpenter, starting work at 7am and sometimes not getting back
from training to his Tarneit home until after 8pm. With the journey he has been on to secure his senior role, he would not have it any other way.
And his beloved Tigers are riding high at the top of the VFL ladder after a thrilling two-point win over Williamstown in the western derby at Avalon Airport Oval on Sunday. Majak Daw booted three goals, while Jake Wilson, Scott McMahon and Matt Hansen were in the best.
The Tigers will host Frankston in a clash between the top and bottom sides in the league on Sunday.
