A student at Shepparton’s St Luke’s Catholic Primary School and member of Shepparton Swans’ under-12 team, Zak’s short career has been filled with accolades, already representing the Goulburn Murray Junior League on the interleague stage and Victoria Country in a showcase match late last year.
But this time around, the young gun was able to showcase his talent on the national stage, as the prominent on-baller turned running defender impressed all week to be one of Victoria’s best performers.
Zak said the experience of pulling on the famous Big V jumper was one he would never forget.
“Putting on the jumper it felt like a trophy, it felt like I honoured something and it was so amazing to be out there playing in it,” Zak said.
“I had a lot of great friends with me, the players were all really good, the coaches were nice, the trainers were nice and that just made the experience so great.
“And even on the opposition teams as well, everybody was so nice and it was great to meet so many new people.”
He spoke modestly of his performances throughout the carnival, which included a best-on-ground effort, and said it was great to test himself in a new position down back.
“I think I went all right (over the week),” he said.
“I got best-on-ground one game and thought I really grew into it as the week went on.
“Through the carnival I played mostly down back, on the half-back flank and back pocket, which was a great experience for me.”
Off the field, the Victoria squad was given the unique opportunity to enter the inner sanctum of an AFL club, as it was given an all-access tour of Port Adelaide by up-and-coming star Xavier Duursma.
Perhaps a sneak peek into what the future might hold, Zak said it was incredible to see how football at the elite level operated.
“It was very good (going to Port Adelaide), we were able to walk through the entire club and see how it all works,” he said.
“We saw all the players train, their locker rooms and everything and to meet Xavier Duursma as well it was really cool.”
Overall, he said the week would put him in great stead moving forward with his football and was the start of bigger things to come.
“It was definitely another level for me,” he said.
“I thought it was my next big moment and leap to a bigger stage and my football will definitely be better as a result of playing against that higher level of competition.
“Now I’ve had a taste of it I want to keep playing for Victoria more and more, and after this experience I feel I am on my way.”
