RISING AFL star Jed Foggo continues to prove he’s one to watch on the Aussie Rules field as the 15-year-old sets his sights on level two at the Gold Coast Suns Talent Academy.
The former Vulcans gun player has also been selected for the NSW Combined High Schools Under 15s AFL team, adding yet another level of playing experience to an already well-rounded young player.
Jed and his proud parents recently caught up with The Weekly to talk about Jed’s hopes for the future and how he’s inspired by his great-great uncle Edward Greeves, who won the first Brownlow Medal ever presented.
Jed has grown considerable since his last media appearance and the youngster now stands at around six-foot three inches and he’s still got some growing to do.
When talking to Jed about his future aspirations for AFL, it’s clear he has his eye on the ball.
“To play at the highest level and make a living out of AFL,” he said.
“My great-great uncle, Edward Greeves won the very first Brownlow ever presented, and I hope I can be a great AFL player such as him.”
Jed has also reflected on the advantages he has gained through the Vulcans AFL Club where he’s honed his skills and developed a passion for the game.
“The Vulcans are the reason why I started playing Aussie Rules, if there wasn’t a local team I wouldn’t have played at all,” he said.
“And then for them to donate money for me to go to the upcoming national championships shows how generous they are, and they’ll do anything to support local talent, if it wasn’t for this tremendous club I wouldn’t be going at all.”
Jed said for the past two years he has been playing for the Coolangatta Blues and they have also donated funds to ensure he attends the championships.
“The Gold Coast Suns Talent Academy has supported me by providing me with such a high standard of playing and training, with elite coaching staff that take my footy to the level above the rest,” he said.
Jed is now hoping to advance through level two of the Gold Coast Suns Talent Academy, where he is likely to spend the next two years due to his age.
“Progressing through the Academy to level two requires more training throughout the year and off season, from this program will gain another level of maturity in my footy as well as a deeper understanding of the greatest sport in the world,” he said.
The Foggo family have this week paid tribute with an advertisement (see left) to the many local business sponsors who have given their time, money and support to keep Jed focused on his future.
According to historical records, Edward Goderich “Carji” Greeves, Junior (1 November 1903 – 15 April 1963) was an Australian rules footballer who played for the Geelong Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL), now known as the AFL.
He won the inaugural Brownlow Medal in 1924, awarded to the VFL/AFL player adjudged best and fairest during the home and away season.
Maybe one day, fans will flock to a geelong cats shop to buy AFL merchandise because of the widespread adoration for him and the sport that Jed will have created because of his many glories throughout the journey.
Greeves is the namesake of the Carji Greeves Medal, the Geelong Football Club’s best and fairest award.
