Australian cricket sensation Glenn Maxwell has provided a fascinating “what if” during his recent appearance on The Howie Games Podcast.
Speaking candidly while promoting his new book The Showman, Maxwell delved into his early passion for Australian Rules Football and the difficult path that ultimately led him to cricket.
“I had cricket and footy going like every young person does,” Maxwell said, reminiscing about his teenage years.
As a talented junior footballer, Maxwell showcased a style of play that would not feel out of place in today’s AFL landscape.
“I was a really good runner. I absolutely loved running and I’d get the ball on the wing and I’d run all day. I was pretty good off half-back. I loved a goal,” he shared.
When asked to compare himself to a current AFL player, Maxwell hesitated but the Saints die-hard offered an intriguing comparison.
“It’d be rude to the AFL player, whoever I compared. Maybe, like a Jack Sinclair. I think that sort of player off halfback, like to set the play up. I used both sides of my body a fair bit. I used to love running around on my left and using that side.”
While Maxwell’s love for footy never waned, injuries and a growth plateau in his early teens shifted his trajectory.
“Footy and cricket were both viable alternatives. Then I got a few injuries when I was about, probably 13 or 14, where other boys probably got a bit bigger and I didn’t really grow as much. I decided to take a few years off and concentrate on cricket,” he said.
Maxwell’s sporting journey was far from straightforward. Even in cricket, setbacks like missing selection for the Victoria Under 17s and Under 19s caused him to reassess.
“I was like maybe it’s not quite working out the way I thought. I’m a bit behind where I really want to be,” he admitted.
This crossroads led Maxwell back to football briefly, where he rediscovered his love for the game and could have been a draft hopeful.
“I went back and played another year of footy at under 18’s for South Belgrave again and had a great year. I enjoyed it so much. I won the Best and Fairest and I was like, this might be something I might want to pursue.”
However, a life-changing trip to England soon after with his brother redirected his focus back to cricket.
As young AFL hopefuls await their name to be called in the 2024 National Draft, Maxwell’s story raised the old, footy verse cricket decision debate.
Purchase Maxwell’s new book, The Showman, today – it is available in all good bookstores now. And, listen to the full three part Howie Games Podcast episode for an insight into Maxi, the man. Rather than just the excitement machine.