BomberBlitz.com Exclusive Interview - Damien Peverill

BomberBlitz: Greetings Pev! Talk us through your football journey so far!
Damien Peverill: Started with Keilor Park Under 10’s! Played there until I was 16 and headed for Calder Cannons. Then played a year for Coburg – we won about 2 games for the entire season, so that was great! grins In 99 I was on the supp list for Melbourne, and in 2000 on the supp list for Essendon, then was picked up in the rookie draft at number 36!
BB: Are there any guys you played with in the Under 10’s that are running around the AFL today?
DP: Not the Under 10’s, but I played in the Victorian Primary School team, and there were a few there – Cam Bruce, Nick Stevens, Lance Whitnall.
BB: Was Lance a big guy for his age back then?
DP: Not really… he was a bit taller than me, but no, wasn’t huge.

BB: What benefits are derived from playing TAC Cup and do you have a specific junior coach that moulded you into what you are today?
DP: One of the benefits is that you’re under the eye of the recruiters every week. And you’re playing at the highest level possible at that age group.
BB: Is it in the back of your mind while you’re playing – that they are there watching you?
DP: Yeah, you are conscious of it…. and I think sometimes it can make you too scared to make mistakes, to stuff up in front of them – so sometimes it inhibits you a bit, you don’t take as many risks, play safer.
BB: And was there a particular coach that moulded you?
DP: Not really…. Dad was the main one! He didn’t coach me, but he was the biggest influence.
BB: Did he play when he was younger?
DP: Yeah, he actually played under 19’s for Essendon!
BB: Oh wow! So when would that have been?
DP: grins um…. Well he’s how old now… I guess it would have been early-mid 70’s!

BB: Nathan Buckley stated in a recent article that rookie listed players should be looked after first when the new CBA is created. As a former rookie listed player yourself, do you think rookie listed players are missing out somewhat on a “share of the pie”?
DP: Well… when you’re on the Rookie List, you’re there for a reason, and can’t expect to be paid the same as a player on the Senior List. But having said that… there is a big discrepancy between a rookie wage and a 1st year player – rookies are on about $25,000.
BB: Really? I had no idea it was that low!
DP: Yeah… and they do all the training, put in the same effort… some of them have to move out of home, and they have all the same expenses as a senior listed player, so, yeah, is a big difference.

BB: When you played a top up game for Sydney and broke your wrist do you feel that had an effect on your late move into the AFL ranks? And when did you play the top up game?!
DP: It was when I was in the under 18’s – each of the teams had separate reserves teams, and if they were short they’d borrow players. So it was the first game of the year – in 1997 – and yeah, busted up my hand, and missed half the season. It may have affected my chances – I missed quite a few games, and missed the chance to play in the Teal Cup. But who knows, you can’t dwell on those things!

BB: Do you still have any problems with your arm? Did they let you keep the plate?!
DP: chuckles No problem at all with the arm, and the plate, no, hasn’t been sighted, thrown into a bin at Victoria House!

BB: You started you career as a tagger, and a pretty good one at that, however over time have evolved away from this role into more of a ball winning midfielder. Given the good young guys we have coming through with the ability to win the ball in close (i.e. Jobe Watson) do you see your role reverting back to that of a tagger?
DP: Might have to! grins With players like Jobe, and Stants, and now with Campo and Heff back, I might have to work at a new role if I want to get a game!
BB: Have you considered full forward? We’ve got an opening there at the moment… grins
DP: laughs ahh no, probably not!
BB: Incidentally, what is the most goals you’ve kicked in a game?
DP: Three…. in….. 2002 against Adelaide.

BB: Will Henry Slattery become a very good tagger?
DP: Think so, yeah. He’s got the temperament, concentrates well, plays a role…. He’s not flashy, just does the job, week in week out. So… well, he’s started in the back pocket… yeah, can see him moving into the midfield and tagging.

BB: Do you think these new specific tagging rules will have any effect on the way taggers go about tagging star players?
DP: thinks Ummm… shakes head no, not really.

BB: Toughest opponent and why?
DP: Probably… Scott West, Nathan Buckley. Even when you play well on them, they still get 25 touches!

BB: What areas of your game do you still want to improve?
DP: Kick more goals, more attacking… Even at 27 like me, you still want to improve your skills – kicking, ground work.

BB: Do you have any special routines or superstitions before a game?
DP: Not really. Same speedos, which get changed each year, and the same socks. Don’t know how lucky they are!
BB: And are you one of these guys that has a certain position to run out in and through the banner?
DP: Probably among the last players to run out, and try not to touch the banner!

BB: Best mates at the club?
DP: Can’t really single anyone out – there’s about 15 to 20 of us that regularly have lunches, dinners together.

BB: How do you feel about reaching 100 games for your career so far?
DP: Well, it didn’t look like it was even going to be one game at one stage! So I’m pretty proud of it, and my family are proud of it.
BB: I still can’t believe it’s 100 already! I still remember you being promoted and all the kerfuffle that happened when you went back onto the rookie list!
DP: nods It goes so quickly… I can still remember my first game like it was yesterday, and now it’s 100!

BB: Lloydy still manages to find time to throw grass in the air despite the 30 second rule. Have you been working on any “signature move” for if you have a set shot? And if not may I suggest a kossack dance.
DP: laughs
BB: now the person that asked this question wanted you to demonstrate a kossack dance, so… up you get…. grins I’ll just say that you did!
DP: yep, did a Russian impersonation!
BB: Do you have a certain ritual that you go through?
DP: Yeah… and it doesn’t take more than 30 seconds… grins I count the steps, same number of steps each time.. and hopefully kick straight!

BB: What are your interests outside of footy? Do you study or work part time?
DP: Eating! grins Um… and… walking the dog
BB: What sort of dog?
DP: A husky, called Zack
BB: Ohhh, a husky, gorgeous!
DP: And I’m studying, part time, similar to Bolts, a Masters in Property Construction.
BB: Which will lead to….?
DP: Project management, evaluation.

BB: What are your thoughts on the current economic climate, and the prospective long term future of property investment in Victoria?
DP: Hopefully good, considering the course I’m doing! grins

BB: Do you want to hit everyone who describes Spencer Street Station as “Southern Cross Station”?
DP: I never knew it was called that actually!

BB: If you were to be reincarnated as an animal, which one would you want to be and why?
DP: Ummm…. an elephant!
BB: laughing an elephant? Why?
DP: Because they’re… big! chuckles yeah, and elephant… or a lion!

BB: Did you know that Wayne Carey is really Skeeta?
DP: um… no!

BB: How do you become a sex-god? Did you have to go through an Australian Idol like audition process or were you born one?
DP: I’ll thank Mum and Dad for it!

BB: Are you a cinnamon, iced or jam centred type donut man?
DP: It used to be iced jam donuts at primary school… but now, nothing beats a hot jam donut at the footy!

BB: If you could hold a Guinness World Record, what would it be for?
DP: It would be for… I have no idea… make something up… for eating the most number of eggs in an hour!
BB: laughing that’s good!!

BB: What music do you listen to?
DP: Triple J – whatever’s going on there

BB: What would the “Damian Peverill” theme song be?
DP: “You’re Beautiful” by James Blunt!

BB: If someone made a film of your life, who would you like to play the lead role?
DP: Jake Gyllenhaal… he’s doing ok at the moment!

BB: Three words to describe yourself?
DP: Male….. footballer….
BB: laughing and 27?!
DP: chuckles yeah, put down 27! “Single White Footballer”!!

BB: What is your favourite colour M&M?
DP: Oh, I haven’t had an M&M for years… I’ll say green, they’re the latest ones

BB: Do you think milk should be added to instant coffee prior to boiling water or after?
DP: Before, so it doesn’t burn the coffee

BB: Shorts or pants man?
DP: Depends on the weather, but probably similar to what I’m wearing now, track pants and thongs
BB: Excellent, thongs, that was the next question! Alright, now we’ve got some word associations, so first thing you think of when you hear the word!

BB: James Hird
DP: Rich!

BB: Cortinas
DP: reliable

BB: Swimming
DP: hate it!

BB: Bellagio
DP: can’t remember it!

BB: Chopper
DP: Interesting

BB: Kepler Bradley
DP: More interesting!

BB: Dick Reynolds
DP: Legend

BB: Barbie Girl
DP: plastic!

BB: Injuries
DP: frustrating

BB: Gary O’Donnell
DP: thoughtful

BB: Roger Federer
DP: Very good looking!

BB: Surfing
DP: hard work