When Jack Bytel and Isaac Quaynor travelled with the AFL academy to America together in 2018, their bond was forced to form even quicker than they might’ve imagined.
Informed they would be roommates, the pair jetted off across to the other side of the world for a training camp during their draft year, excited at the prospect of growing their games.
But things took a negative turn upon landing when Bytel learnt that while he was in Florida, his luggage was still in Melbourne.
It meant he was without clothes for the best part of trip, with his new roommate having to come to his aide.
“That trip was funny and he didn’t have his luggage, so he had no underpants,” Quaynor laughed.
“I’m pretty sure he was wearing my underpants for the first day and then one of the coaches had to go buy him some and they were way too big.
“We’re in Florida and he had these baggy as underpants, and he didn’t end up wearing them and I actually ended up taking them to wear to go to bed because they were super baggy which is a funny story.”
“I had to borrow some of Q’s clothes and gear and our high-performance guy went to the shops and got me a pair of jocks and they were small but they were like a triple XL because Americans have a lot bigger sizes,” Bytel said.
“It’s so funny those connections and stories from back in the day.”
Fast forward six years, and the pair have been able to rekindle their friendship since Bytel joined the list as an SSP recruit in February.
Bytel will become the fourth player from the 2018 drat class to play for the Club on Sunday when he makes his Collingwood debut against the Eagles, joining Quaynor, Bobby Hill and Lachie Schultz.
The former roommates will now play their first game at the top level together, with Quaynor excited to play alongside the midfielder who he’s always regarded as one of the top players from that year.
“Since I can remember he’s always been someone who has been in the top one percent of our crop of boys, especially in terms of professionalism,” Quaynor said.
“He was a star and still is, but he was top tier in our draft year coming out of Vic Metro until he badly hurt his back.
“He’s very diligent and a great leader. He’s a pretty cruisy fella and he’s fit in seamlessly.”
It’s reward for Bytel – a former of Saint of 22 games – who’s diligence and resilience has allowed him to return to AFL level.
Admitting he needed to find his love for the game again having been delisted last September, the midfielder has flourished in his new environment which he couldn’t speak any higher of.
“I’ve found the love for footy again and that’s through this environment and club,” he said.
“I was pretty drained and needed a change up and since coming here I’ve just been so hungry and that’s shown as a person I’m just so much happier as well.
“I’ve actually been trying to fill in my off days as much as I can with stuff outside of footy and it’s actually kept me feeling better about my football.
“I’ve been busy off field so when I’m actually at the club I have the ability to switch on and off a lot better.
“Looking back, the experience of being delisted and having to get a job has really set me up this year to be even more prepared and adding more pathways to go down.”
The 24-year-old has hit the ground running as one of the Club’s VFL sides most consistent performers over the opening six games of the year.
He’s done so largely alongside fellow SSP recruit Lachie Sullivan – a person he barely knew just last year, and now considers one of his best mates as the two prepare to play at AFL level for the first time together.
“I had to fly out the next day early in the morning, but it was so hard for me to wind down because I was just so wired and happy for Sul,” Bytel said of Sullivan’s debut last week.
“I was just so happy for him having been through everything together since we got to the Club and was so proud of him.
“It’s funny how footy works like that and I think back to our first session getting to know each other and now we’re best mates and going to play together which is pretty crazy.”
