Dom Brew plays every game for the Werribee Tigers like it could be his last.
It’s not only because the onballer is aware that his place in the senior team is not considered a lock-in his rookie season.
Brew knows how quickly football – or life – can be taken away.
He takes nothing for granted and does not have to delve too deep into his memory for a bit of perspective.
Last football season, Brew and his dad, Nick, were involved in a serious car accident, both walking away shaken but not seriously hurt physically.
On his way to a representative football game, Brew slowed down for roadworks, but the driver behind was distracted and ran into the back of his car, writing it off.
“We were really lucky to get out of that,” he said. “You look at a lot of people who have been in car accidents, they end up in a wheelchair or even dead.
“It does change your perspective on life; it can change in an instant. You take a lot of things for granted when you do get an opportunity to play footy and do everyday things. I try and take in every day now.”
Brew gets an inordinate amount of enjoyment every time he laces up the footy boots, even for training.
Three years ago, one of his former Albury Tigers teammates, James McQuillan, lost his chance to play football and has been wheelchair bound after suffering a spinal-cord injury in a game.
“He went from playing footy to ending up in a wheelchair. All those sorts of factors make you think how lucky you are to be playing footy and doing what you’re doing.”
Brew came on the radar of Werribee while playing for North Albury in the Ovens and Murray Football Netball League.
The 20-year-old was content there but his coach at the time, former AFL star Jason Akermanis, advised him to give the VFL a go. “He was pushing me to go to a higher level,” Brew said. “He put a lot of time and effort into me, so I really appreciate [that]. Once Werribee reached out, I thought I might as well give it a crack.”
The Kingsville resident has slotted into the Tigers midfield seamlessly, adding a bit of grunt with his tackle pressure and fearlessness burrowing in the packs.
Brew likes the rough and tumble, which stems from his other sporting love – mixed martial arts. He fought in the octagon before returning to football.
“That’s why my tackling is so good,” Brew said. “It’s helped me a lot with my game, I wouldn’t be the player that I am without it. I’m pretty disciplined; I know where the line is and don’t cross is.”
Brew will return to MMA one day, but not before he has fulfilled his potential as a footballer. He is relishing the chance to play at Werribee and wants to taste the ultimate glory in the VFL with the club.
“At the start, I was just going to play it by ear but now I’m thinking it’s a long-term thing,” Brew said. “I really like it at Werribee and I’m looking forward to next year. Now I’ve made my way up [to the senior team], I’m feeling really good, so I’ll be here for a fair while I reckon.”
And the potential of getting drafted?
He responds quickly: “A bit early, I think.”
“I’m just focused on playing every senior game with Werribee and hopefully playing in the finals and going a fair way into it.”
Brew has taken in the feedback of coach John Lamont. He is all ears out on the field when the more experienced players such as Matt Hanson, Tom Gribble, Jake Sharp and Matt Munro speak.
“All those boys have helped me out, giving me all their different ideas,” Brew said. “I’m picking up a bit off each one of them and going with it.”
