BRODIE McLaughlin was pinching himself after the Gold Coast Suns’ Smithy’s VFL premiership victory over Werribee.
The star forward was the last player added to the Suns’ list in the supplementary selection period earlier this year.
He capped off a wonderful first season with the club with 12 disposals and three goals in the 19-point Grand Final victory at IKON Park
While the AFL debut he desperately seeks was just out of reach, the 25-year-old enjoyed a fine season at VFL level.
McLaughlin 55 goals in 20 VFL matches and shared the Frosty Miller Medal for the league’s leading goalkicker with teammate Chris Burgess while also earning his maiden selection in the VFL Team of the Year.
It’s a far cry from the young man who was cut from Coburg tryouts a few years ago before managing six VFL games for North Melbourne pre-Covid in 2019.
McLaughlin joined Frankston in 2021 and played six of the Dolphins’ nine games before kicking 24 goals in 12 matches last year to earn himself a pre-season tryout with the Suns.
He showed enough to impress the club and win a contract over now dual Liston Medal runner-up Boyd Woodcock and has repaid that faith in spades so far.
“I can’t put into words how long this journey has been,” McLaughlin said.
“So many years. Trying out for Coburg, getting cut by them, going to North Melbourne and down to Frankston for a couple of years to find my way onto a list this year.
“It’s been so special and I’ve got so many people here to thank for it, like Mum and Dad. It’s beautiful for them to be here.
“They’ve been along with me for the whole journey and my girlfriend Tash, it’s been awesome.”
McLaughlin said there were times when he though his football dream might not materialise.
“I can’t tell you how many years I thought this might never happen,” he said.
“Down at Frankston I gave it everything I could. I always said I didn’t want to die wondering.
“Gold Coast gave me the opportunity this year and I feel like I’ve repaid it to be able to have a few personal accolades but most importantly to be able to hold the Cup up and win the flag at the end of the year is just a validation for everything.
“It has been so long to get here. I’m so proud, so happy.”
McLaughlin paid tribute to his mates in the Gold Coast forward line.
The attack will go down as one of the combined strongest forward groups in recent memory at VFL level, led by Burgess (61 goals), McLaughlin (55), Mabior Chol (40), Alex Sexton (38) and Sam Day (37) – who were all unstoppable at times.
“I love every one of them. Cholly, Sam Day, Burger, Secco, Acey (Hewago Oea), we have such a good forward line and if I’m having a bad day one of them will have a good one,” he said.
“We work so well together. We know each other’s strengths and I don’t think any backline could stop it.
“Werribee has got a bloody awesome backline and we were still able to get on top, which was awesome.”
X: @BRhodesVFL
