Freezer makes the grade at Essendon

Old Melburnians were delighted with the full debut of Josh Freezer for Essendon in their NAB Challenge match against St Kilda a fortnight ago and so was the man himself.

Freezer told vafa.com.au that it has been a huge thrill despite the circumstances to step up and play at the elite level.

“It’s been an unbelievable experience, the chance to play St Kilda and play on Patty McCartin, then a week later to play GWS and play on blokes like Jeremy Cameron and Adam Tomlinson has just been fantastic” said Freezer.

Freezer has been on the Essendon VFL list for five seasons and his chance to play in the senior Essendon side came due to the ongoing ASADA investigation into the Essendon supplements program. With players on the Essendon list from the 2012 season standing out of the preseason pending the AFL Tribanal’s decision on those players given show cause notices, Essendon have used players on their VFL list, and also were permitted to draft in external players that have played in the AFL in the past.

Freezer has played in VAFA rep sides in the past and when not playing for Essendon’s VFL side, he is more than keen to return to the OMs to play.

“VFL training is usually Mondays and Wednesdays and if you are not selected then you get the chance to head back to OMs on Thursday ready to play on Saturday.

Freezer is entering his fifth season on the Essendon VFL list and has played 55 games for the Bombers, combined with over 60 games for Old Melburnians.

In his profile preview on essendonfc.com.au the club said: “One of the more experienced players in the Essendon VFL side, Freezer’s opportunity to play AFL football has been a long-time coming. A stable in the side’s backline, the tall defender has the ability to shut-down key forwards and effectively clear the ball. Loyal to the red and black, Freezer is looking forward to playing on some of St.Kilda’s forwards.”

When asked about the process of becoming a fully fledged Essendon player, albeit for the NAB Challenge, Freezer said it was quite an exciting time.

“I remember when General Manager Rob Kerr turned up at VFL training about three weeks before the NAB Challenge to let the team know that there was a chance that some of the VFL boys would be a chance to be temporarily drafted to the senior side for the NAB matches, training certainly went up a notch after that” Freezer said.

Another former VAFA player, Old Xavierians 2013 premiership ruckman, Sam Tagliabue was also drafted to Essendon’s list for the NAB Challenge.

With the AFL Tribunal to hand down it’s decision just four days before Essendon’s round 1 match, the Bombers cold be calling on the services of Freezer to take the field against Sydney.

“They haven’t told us anything yet, obviously we will just have to wait and see until March 31” Freezer said.

It wouldn’t be the first time that has happened, former VAFA Big V Representative and Old Xaverians centre half forward, Patrick Ambrose made his debut in round 1 last year after being elevated from the roookie list via Essendon’s VFL side.

Freezer also confirmed the well known fact that the pace of the game goes up a notch when playing at the elite level.

“It is certainly quicker and you are punished more for turnovers or errors, having said that if you stick to your guns and play the way you know how then you can certainly adapt to the pace of the game.”

When quizzed about the work load of being a full time footballer and full time employee, Freezer was very thankful for his employers.

“They have been great in allowing me to train when I have been required, and have allowed me to catch up on work out of hours.”

Freezer will get his final chance to impress the Bombers hierarchy in their final NAB Challenge match against Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.