ONE of the many locals who have delighted in the career, and especially the perseverance of Sam Docherty over the years, Daryl Vernon, hopes to see a special tribute from the AFL as one of its best-loved players hangs up his boots tonight.
Father of two contemporaries of the Docherty boys, Josh and Sam, during their days at Phillip Island, his sons Beau and Zac, Daryl saw a lot of them growing up and paid particular tribute to their dad, the late Eddie ‘Doc’ Docherty, for setting both Sam and Josh off on fine careers in footy.
“Eddie, their dad, was very good at passing on the skills of the game to his boys, and they were both very good kicks with an excellent understanding of the game from early on,” said Daryl Vernon.
“They all played for the seniors (Phillip Island) as teenagers. I’m not sure if all four played together, they may have. Josh is the same age as Zac, Beau a bit older and Sam a year and a half younger than Zac.
“But Sam always had a very mature approach, a terrific attitude. Between the skills Eddie worked on with them and his attitude, you could see Sam had something special. He’s been an absolute standout across the competition for many reasons and I really hope the AFL acknowledges that tonight,” said Vernon.
A former Gardiner Medal winner during his time at Richmond, and at one stage earning three Brownlow medal votes, during a 17-game VFL senior at Richmond and the Sydney Swans, Daryl knows something himself about the trials and tribulations of the challenges at the top of the game.
But he’s still in awe of what Sam Docherty has achieved against the odds.
The tributes from right across the game have come thick and fast as Docherty prepares for a final tribute game against Hawthorn at the MCG on Thursday night after announcing his retirement to teammates during the week.
Speaking about his career, his personal challenges, and how much Carlton means to him, Docherty gave an insight into his life so far and what is next for him to Carlton media.
Here's what he had to say.
On making the decision to play his last game this week:
"I’m a bit all over the place at the moment. It’s been a big few days, few months to be fair. I’m excited, I’m relieved, it’s all just mixed up at the moment,” said Docherty on Blues’ media.
"I think playing on 'Weiters’ 200th game is very special to me. The opportunity to run out with my family - Myles has never gone out, Ruby was a baby on my 150th - so to have that memory and I’ve loved every minute of pulling on the Carlton jumper every time I’ve played.
"Inevitably, this is the best opportunity I’ve got to do everything I want to do and finish off the way I want to finish off. I’m probably more excited, but there’s definitely a sense of relief that I don’t have to hold this stuff in anymore.
"I’ve been tossing and turning, up and back, should I go on or should I stay? It feels like the right time, which is something that I’m enjoying."
On finishing his career on his own terms:
"When I did my rehab last year, I’d accepted that if I did my ACL again, I was done. That’s probably the earliest time, at the start of last year, that I was close.
"That’s very me though, I put everything into something and understand all the risks. To be able to go out now with my body feeling reasonably well, playing reasonably good footy, not my absolute best, but it feels like a good time.
"I have said for a number of years around going out on my own terms and it feels like the best opportunity for me and the footy club to get what we both want in the end.
"There’s a lot of reflecting at the moment, you can’t prepare yourself for these kinds of moments, but I’m incredibly proud, a lot of thank yous at the moment and a lot of love in the air."
On growing up quickly after his father's passing:
"In some ways, I haven’t grown up at all, but footy keeps you youthful and that’s the exciting part of it. Losing my dad in my first pre-season here with a bunch of people I didn’t know on the other side of the world in Arizona, it was one hell of an experience.
"It forced me to grow up, it forced me to have that purpose in what I was doing, which I probably didn’t have back then. Looking back, my dad was a mad Carlton supporter, to have my name, which is his name, as a captain of the Club, a best and fairest winner, played over 180 odd games for the Club, it’s something I’m incredibly proud of from a personal perspective.
"That’s not what my success ended up being; my goalpost shifted in the middle of my career to something that was bigger than football, bigger than myself. I’m incredibly proud of what I’ve been able to do and what I get to do."
Docherty made his debut for Brisbane in 2013, in Round 4 against North Melbourne where he played 13 games before moving to Carlton in 2014, playing 170 games and ultimately being named captain, and finally reuniting with his first coach at the Lions, Michael Voss.
Following the 2020 season, Docherty was diagnosed with testicular cancer, and after receiving treatment and chemotherapy in the offseason, incredibly returned from round 1, 2021. He played every match until round 15, before a second occurrence of the cancer saw him miss the rest of the season for further treatment.
Docherty has used his health platform to raise awareness and vital funds for cancer research, having recovered twice from testicular cancer. Docherty was awarded the Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award with $20,000 to the charity of his choice for his work in raising funds for cancer research and supporting children's charities.
[With thanks to 'Carlton Media' read more HERE]
