Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
When Fremantle midfielder Hayden Young looks in the mirror, he now sees more than just a footballer staring back at him.
Young shapes as one of Fremantle’s many feel-good stories in Saturday’s AFL grand final against Brisbane, with his path to the big dance one of perseverance.
The 25-year-old has been riddled by injuries over the past two years, and this season alone has battled hamstring, concussion and groin setbacks.
But the Dockers’ meticulous plan to get Young purring in time for the finals has worked a treat, with the classy midfielder proving crucial in wins over Geelong and Sydney over the past fortnight.
Despite still being on restricted minutes, Young shapes as a major weapon on Saturday as Fremantle attempt to snare the first flag in their 32-year history.
And if he is holding up the premiership cup on Saturday, it will be a triumph fuelled by self-reflection and acceptance.
“Sometimes throughout the last few years there’s a little bit of ‘why me’ or ‘this isn’t fair’,” Young told AAP.
“A lot of other players seem to just have it easy, and this hasn’t been the case for me.
“I’ve had to battle with that, and I’ve gotten to a place now where I’ve just really accepted my journey.
“I’m not ashamed of it. And I’m really proud of the person I am today as a result of all those challenges that I’ve faced.
“It feels like I’m in a really great position now, both physically and mentally, to attack this game.”
Golf used to be one of Young’s happy places. It still would be, if he was allowed to play it.
“In 2024 I was playing golf once a week, and I was having such a good footy season,” Young said.
“But I couldn’t do that the last two years because my body hasn’t allowed it.
“There’s times where I’d be like, ‘I just wish I could go play some golf’.
“But I’ve had to find other ways to find outlets and find balance.”
Young has turned to lots of walks with the dog, visits to the beach and podcasts in order to keep himself balanced.
“I like things that are not sport-related,” Young said.
“My favourite podcast is Hamish and Andy, because it’s just talking shit.”
Young concedes there’s still times when his identity is too wrapped up in being a footballer.
But it’s something he’s getting much better at. Win or lose, Young knows his true self is no longer defined by football or results.
“What I’ve learned about myself through these challenges is I’m still on a journey of finding balance in my life,” Young said.
“And so through these challenges, I’ve had to look a bit harder for who I am as a person, and I’m not just a footballer.
“That’s why I felt really at peace going into the game against Sydney.
“Regardless of the result, I’m really proud of the person that I am, and whether I win, lose or draw, it doesn’t define me as a person.”
Having his younger brother move in with him this year has also given Young a greater balance in life.
Young’s clutch goal from the boundary line in the preliminary final win over Sydney last week is already part of Fremantle folklore.
Now, he and his teammates are just one win away from becoming football immortals.
