Moving interstate and away from your family at 17 years of age can’t be an easy thing to do, even if it’s for your dream.
For Lachlan Sholl, the move was made far easier thanks to the support he received from his new club.
One of six new Crows drafted from interstate in the 2018 draft, Sholl said Adelaide welcomed its newest additions with open arms.
“I’m sure we’ve had our individual challenges moving, but the Club has made it so easy,” Sholl said.
“All the players, all the staff, have been really welcoming and they made it really easy, especially for the first few weeks when you’re still a bit unsettled.
“The way that everyone welcomed us, they treated us as though we’ve been there for 10 years.”
That includes being placed with a host family by Player Development Manager Emma Bahr.
“They are awesome, Vicki and Paul, I stay with them in Henley South,” Sholl said.
“They do pretty much everything for us, we can’t complain.
Emma is a star, she does an awesome job matching us with host families that are very similar to our families back home.”
Before Sholl was placed with his host family, he lived with fellow defender Tom Doedee.
Doedee’s advice in Sholl’s first weeks in Adelaide helped him adjust to life as an AFL footballer.
“Tom did look out for me early days,” Sholl said.
“He was unreal with getting me used to the schedule and demands of the footy club.”
While they were housemates, Sholl learned a lot about Doedee’s little quirks.
“He’s very organised, he rinses stuff straight away so he doesn’t have to use his dishwasher a lot,” he said with a smile.
“Bit of a clean freak, Tommy.”
Sholl is settling in on the field also, playing off half-back in the SANFL side.
The now 18-year-old has played consistently during the six matches, providing run and carry out of the defensive 50.
Having played in four wins, including beating ladder leaders Norwood on Friday night, you might think that Sholl would be nailing the song by now…
That’s not quite the case.
“I still don’t know the song 100 per cent but I am just about there,” Sholl said.
“There’s a couple of words that I skip because I’m not quite sure.”
The SANFL side have a bye this week due to the State game and will return against Port Adelaide on Saturday, May 18.
