The hurt of feeling some Western Bulldogs coaches no longer trusted him as a player will drive Caleb Daniel to show new club North Melbourne what he’s made of.
Daniel was in Japan, battling with “bugger-all” phone reception, when his manager called in the final minutes of trade period to confirm he had been sent to Arden Street in exchange for pick No.25 in this year’s AFL draft.
For 2016 premiership winner Daniel, it also ended a year of uncertainty, where he was in and out of the Bulldogs’ team, playing just 16 games — including seven as the substitute.
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“Obviously you’re always seeking to play AFL footy, and I was able to do that for probably nine years and do it relatively successfully,” Daniel said on Monday.
“And then last year didn’t pan out my way, probably through form and sort of a lack of trust from some of the coaching staff and some confidence issues in my own ability.
“So I think being able to come to a new club and have a fresh start is something that’s pretty special to me. And yeah, it’s exciting.
“I really am keen to play with some younger guys. I guess I’m 28 now and a bit of an older head, so hopefully (there’s) plenty of footy left.”
Asked whether the lack of trust from coaches had been hurtful, Daniel said: “Yeah, it’s always going to hurt, I think, if some people lose confidence in you, and as a proud person you never want that to happen.
“So it does drive you. It drove me throughout the year as well, to keep my chin up and hold my head high and come to the footy club and still put in wholeheartedly into the program.
“So yeah, it does hurt, but it’s exciting to see the way that we’re able to go about it here (at North Melbourne) and throughout this pre-season and I’m looking forward to that challenge.”
Daniel insisted he didn’t hold anything against the Bulldogs, noting head coach Luke Beveridge was always looking to “evolve” his team – while he still felt he had “a lot to give”.
Knowing Sydney stalwart Luke Parker and West Coast forward Jack Darling were North Melbourne-bound emboldened Daniel to join the youthful Kangaroos.
“Those two have tremendous leadership qualities, and they’ve obviously established themselves as great players for so many years, and I think that’s really important,” he said.
Kangaroos coach Alastair Clarkson has challenged Daniel to deliver leadership and help bring his teammates “up to standard”.
Daniel is excited by playing with the likes of Harry Sheezel, Colby McKercher and Luke Davies-Uniacke, and confident the Kangaroos can soon contend for their first finals berth since 2016.
“There’s so much talent,” Daniel said.
“And it’s exciting to see what they’ll be able to push for hopefully this (coming) year.”
