Promising Australian Rules footballer Jason Salopek looks to be on his way to an AFL career after being selected in the Victorian schoolboys’ team for July’s School Sport Australia 15-and-under Championships. Picture: Stewart Chambers.By Marc McGowan
HAVING an older brother excelling in your chosen field is something many teenagers across the country have to deal with.
But for Narre Warren junior footballer Jason Salopek – younger sibling of Port Adelaide and former Dandenong Stingrays star Steven – his battle for recognition has been a much more public one.
From all accounts, Salopek, who turned 15 last Thursday, is handling the pressure well and if their father Nick is any gauge, the 170-centimetre midfielder may just be the more exciting prospect.
Salopek has just been named in the Victorian schoolboys’ team for the School Sport Australia 15-and-under Championships in Melbourne from 19 to 26 July.
“It was quite a shock, actually. I was not expecting it, but I’m really excited to get out there and start playing,” the Waterways resident said.
“Ever since I started, I’ve always wanted to play AFL. Lots of people ask whether I want to play with my brother, but it doesn’t really faze me.
“I’d really love to make it – no matter what the team – as long as I get a go.”
The state selection was a natural progression for Salopek, who is also in the Stingrays’ development squad.
And the Year 9 St Francis Xavier College student hopes there are even greater achievements on the horizon.
“Making the Victorian under-16 side next year is one of my main goals,” Salopek said.
“The ultimate thing for me would be if I was able to make the 16s All-Australian team and get to play Gaelic football in Ireland.
“That’d be fantastic if I could make that.”
Narre Warren under-15 coach Phil Cipriani believes Salopek has a bright future in the game.
“I think he’s an absolute champion,” he said.
“He’s an all-round footballer. He takes an excellent mark for his size and he’s got the best skills I’ve seen in our (Dandenong District Junior Football League) competition.
“I’ve come through playing with Glenn Archer and guys like that at Noble Park and Jason’s as good, if not better, than them.”
Not surprisingly, Salopek’s father Nick is proud of both of his sons, but points out that they are much different players.
“I don’t care what they do, even if they’re cleaning toilets – as long as they do it well and the best they can,” he said.
“Steven’s not that exciting and is more of a hard worker, like a Robert Harvey, whereas Jason’s more skilful, like a James Hird.
“Jason has a bit more flare and loves a goal.”
The differences in the brothers’ approaches are not coincidental, with Salopek keen to forge his own name in the sport.
“From watching him (Steven) as a junior, he was a one-off and really dominated,” he said.
“I don’t really want to play the same style as him because I want to be my own individual and get people to notice me instead of him.
“The major thing I need to do is put on weight because I’m a bit runty, so if I can get a bit more beef on me I can get more in-and-under in the packs and not be that outsider.”
