Sam McLarty lived his junior days as a footballer in the forward line.

He was swung back as a 17-year-old at the Oakleigh Chargers and stayed there when he joined Collingwood with pick 30 in the 2016 National Draft.

Decisive in his attack on the ball, a return to the forward line, or a role in the ruck may always have been in the plans of the Magpies’ coaching staff. However it was a teammate, not a coach, who suggested the shift this off-season.

“Tim Broomhead came up to me and said ‘hey Sammy, why don’t you get stuck into Brodie (Grundy),” McLarty told Collingwood Media.

“I won a bit of the ball myself and the coaches decided to keep me in the role.

“So I credit Broomy.”

Thanks to Broomhead, McLarty has now joined Grundy, Mason Cox and rookie Max Lynch as a ruckman-forward in training.

In a time when versatility is a key component of the modern footballer, the 19-year-old has spent the summer working closely with Collingwood’s development coaches.

“I’ve got some really, really good mentors at the club,” he said.

“Anthony Rocca would be my main point of call in the ruck and Tarkyn Lockyer in the forward line.

“Brodie Grundy is arguably one of the better ruckmen going around… and Mason Cox is great to learn from too.

“I’m really enjoying the new role, but I’ve only been there for a couple of months. I’ve still got heaps of learning to do.”

A strong appetite to learn, coupled with McLarty’s hearing impairment mean it’s all too common of a sight to see a coach or fellow player closely providing instruction during weekday training sessions at the Holden Centre.

He takes it all in his stride, eager to build on a debut year hampered by injuries.

The right-footer appeared early in the season and played 14 games for the VFL Magpies in 2017, despite missing large chunks of summer training.

“Last year I would come to games and probably burn out after the second quarter,” he reflected.

“That was the reality of it, because I didn’t get a day of pre-season.

“This year I rock up to games knowing exactly what I can do. It makes a huge difference physically and mentally.”

So now, the struggles of finding full fitness have been replaced by the challenge of learning a new role.

It’s one McLarty is all too willing to embrace. And he has Tim Broomhead to thank for it.



McLarty rucks against Brodie Grundy in Collingwood's intra-club game at the Holden Centre. Image: Luke Henry.