Senior Noah Answerth (2018-)

Remove this Banner Ad

What's it like to play alongside a childhood idol? Just ask rising Lion (Ben Collins)
TIMING is everything – just ask Noah Answerth. After receiving the round 20 nomination for the NAB AFL Rising Star award, the first-year Brisbane defender was keen to express his gratitude for all the help and opportunities he's been afforded, and for the twists of fate that have him feeling lucky in so many ways.

One of those blessings has been the surreal experience of playing in the same backline as one of his boyhood idols, Lions veteran Luke Hodge. A former Hawthorn supporter, Answerth attended every Grand Final that Hodge and the powerhouse Hawks contested on their way to four premierships under Alastair Clarkson, and he's thankful Hodge made a comeback to lift the Lions.

"He was one of my heroes. I really liked 'Hodgey', even though Brad Sewell was my favourite player. Don't tell Hodgey that," Answerth told AFL.com.au on Monday. "It's great playing with Hodgey. His leadership and organisation on game day and at training and around the club is great. He's a really good coach on the ground and he directs really well and I've learnt so much from him."

The former Oakleigh Charger, who will turn 20 on Tuesday, is acutely aware he could easily have been overlooked in the AFL drafts. In his draft year of 2017 his season ended after two games when he showed typical courage in an aerial duel and copped a fracture in his lower spine.

Answerth feels indebted to the Chargers for two main reasons – for fixing his back (which no longer gives him grief) and for allowing him to play on the next year as an over-age player (when he gained vital leadership experience by captaining the team to the Grand Final). He knows that without both of those things eventuating, he wouldn't be at an AFL club.

The versatile runner's ascent to the Lions at pick 55 in last year's NAB AFL Draft was an emotional one for his family, given his father Steve played for Richmond under-19s and his older brother Kade had been a Chargers star but neither had cracked the big time.

"There were a lot of times where I doubted I'd get an opportunity at an AFL club," Answerth said. "I had my back issue … and my brother was a really good footballer but he didn't get drafted so I wasn't sure I would either. It really makes me want to make the most of my footy because some people don't get that opportunity. "I spoke to Kade before and he's really proud of me. He's been a really good support for my footy."

When he first relocated to Brisbane, Answerth lived with teammate Ryan Lester, before moving in with Irish recruit James Madden. For a few months they were joined by Answerth's twin sister Stevie, who coincidentally had gained entry to an acting course at the University of Queensland before her brother was drafted.

Madden says his Victorian housemate is the most driven person he has met. Answerth said it's a quality that flows through to other areas of his life, including his plans to start a carpentry apprenticeship soon. "I probably got it from my brother. He's pretty driven and I was a bit lazy growing up and it took me a while to get that mindset," he explained. Since making his AFL debut in the round six win over Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium, Answerth has played 14 consecutive games, 11 of them resulting in wins for the third-placed Lions.

He has been tasked with nullifying some high-quality opponents, including Sydney livewire Tom Papley, who proved too slippery in his second game, but he performed much better against the likes of Greater Western Sydney star Toby Greene and another Hawk idol in Luke Breust.

"Early on it was a bit of a shock to be playing on those types of players but it helps when you get a few games under your belt and when you've got teammates like Darcy Gardiner and Nick Robertson to learn how to play on those small forwards," he said.

Answerth, who recently signed a contract extension to the end of 2022, is excited by the prospect of playing in September and being part of the team that breaks Brisbane's 10-year finals drought. "I'm just so thankful to the Lions for all the support they've given me. I pinch myself every day I go to work. It's a really good environment to be around and I've been really lucky to get the opportunity to come into the club and the team at a really good time," he said. "Guys like 'Zorks' (captain Dayne Zorko) and 'Richy' (Daniel Rich) have been through the hard times and they're really cherishing this time, as we all are. "We still have to take it one week at a time but it's a really good position to be in and I'm just rapt to hopefully be part of it in my first season."
Click to expand...
721158
 
Unsung Heroes - Round 20
Brisbane: Noah Answerth

Since making his AFL debut in Rond 6 against the Gold Coast Suns, 19-year-old Noah Answerth has become a mainstay in Brisbane’s side. In a close contest with the Western Bulldogs, Answerth collected 18 disposals, including seven intercept possessions, and took six marks. With finals approaching, Answerth is building nicely and finding his feet in the Lions’ back six.
Click to expand...
 

Log in to remove this ad.

Agree.Give him two years for the tank and a bit more muscle and will be brilliant in the midfield
 
Has all the other attibutes. But I rather like the idea of him becoming our next Chris Johnson.
 
The AFL Players’ Association MVP Award nominees for 2019 have been revealed, ahead of the awards on Thursday, August 29.

The nomination for the MVP Award is a two-stage process. The first involves players nominating three teammates for the award, before three nominees from every club are presented to the wider playing group for a vote to decide the winner. Players cannot vote for their own teammates in stage two of the process.

Alongside the Most Courageous, Best Captain and Best First Year award nominees, the league’s players have nominated the three players they believe are their most valuable.

Best First Year: Noah Answerth
Click to expand...
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

Answerth takes his chance
One of five Lions to come into the team, Noah Answerth reminded everyone why he was a mainstay of their success in 2019. The second-year defender was given the task of stopping Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti – a man that shredded Brisbane for seven goals when they last met over 12 months ago. Answerth totally blanketed the Essendon sharpshooter, restricting him from getting a single disposal in the first half and forcing him to be shifted into the midfield.
Click to expand...
1596373094604.png

Awesome game by Noah. Tippa was a big worry coming into the game, but Noah nullified him beautifully.
 
I know it’s a fine balance but just pump games into this kid. He will be a premier small defender in a few years time if we do. Takes time but it’s pretty rare when someone actually comes out and says I want to be a small defender.
 
jjami15 said:
I know it’s a fine balance but just pump games into this kid. He will be a premier small defender in a few years time if we do. Takes time but it’s pretty rare when someone actually comes out and says I want to be a small defender.
Click to expand...

Has been fantastic across the last three games. Should be a permanent fixture in defence.
 
I absolutely love the way this bloke goes about it. Quiet, humble, yet has that killer instinct and huge competitive streak. Big call so early on, but think Noah could be our version of Nick Smith. I can see a lot of similarities between the two. Should be a 200+ gamer for us and a staple in our backline for the next decade.


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com
 
Might get more practice at trying to stick a tackle on Dusty. Hard task.
 
I was at the local bottle shop last Sunday night to pick up some supplies.

The Camp Hill Hotel.

Noah and Big O together in front of me at the counter discussing the Brownlow count which I happened to have on SEN on my phone at the time.

Long story short, struck up a bit of a conversation with the two lads, offering commiserations for the PF loss etc etc.

Both boys up for a chat and I found out that Noah wasn't dropped after the Sydney game and that "managed" thing was due to a groin injury he was and is still carrying.

Nice to get some direct and honest feedback from these guys.

I like Noah Answerth even more than I did before:):footy:
 
AFL decision regarding Noah Answerth's VFL suspension

The AFL has determined that suspended young defender Noah Answerth will be available for selection in the AFL competition from round four.

Answerth was in the frame to play for the Lions against Geelong on Friday night but was charged with rough conduct from Saturday's one-point win over Aspley.

Answerth was last week handed a two-game VFL suspension, assessed as intentional conduct with high impact and body contact.

With the 2021 VFL season starting later than the AFL, it meant Answerth would not have completed his VFL suspension until the end of round six of the AFL.

The AFL since determined that Noah should only be suspended for the equivalent time in both the VFL and the AFL competitions.

Answerth will remain suspended for the first two rounds of the VFL season should he not be selected in the AFL in rounds four or five.
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Remove this Banner Ad

Back
Top