Charlie Bance has football flowing through his veins. As the son of Wagga Tigers President Scott, the solid 183cm midfielder was introduced to the game early on.
On Tuesday, he is hoping that AFL recruiters will call out his name at the AFL Draft which is taking place that evening in Adelaide, but he understands the nature of the business all too well.
This year hasn’t been an easy one for the former The Riverina Anglican College student, who recently completed his Higher School Certificate.
As a GWS Giants Academy player under the tutelage of former Swans premiership players Jason Saddington and Taigh Kennelly, he has spent much of 2015 in the gym gaining size and strength, but has had to look on in frustration as many of his peers have been able to show their wares throughout the season.
Bance has suffered with the dreaded osteitis pubis (groin injury), but reckons the problem is well and truly behind him and that he would a good fit for any club looking to take a ball winning midfielder with a game that resembles that of Sydney midfielder Josh Kennedy.
Listing his strengths, he has a good turn of speed and good inside game particularly at the stoppages, where his style has also drawn comparisons with Richmond midfielder and former North Albury junior Anthony Miles.
A Richmond supporter and self-confessed football tragic, Bance has had contact with the recruiters from Punt Road as well as the mob from Windy Hill, but would be happy to go anywhere.
If Bance is not successful of making his way onto an AFL list, then he will consider moving interstate to play in one of the state leagues including the VFL, WAFL or SANFL in the hope of staying under the radar of talent scouts around the country.
He would like to get involved in the sports and fitness industry at some level which would complement his football ambitions in the short term.
Charlie and his family will watch the draft on Foxtel on Tuesday evening, waiting in anticipation to see whether a club is will to take a chance on a Bance.
