The Challenge Seeker

Daniel Venditti loves a challenge.
After struggling in the pre-season following hip surgery, Venditti has overcome his hip concerns from the past season and is set to play in his 50th VFL game this weekend against Richmond, all of which he’s done with the Lions.

“It’s been a long recovery. 12 weeks without running, but the fitness staff have been excellent in helping me get back to my best. It’s another challenge and yeah that doubt crept in, but getting out there for the half game against Frankston and then the full game last week, it just felt great to contribute.”

A native of Western Australia, Venditti played in 41 WAFL games for Perth before making the switch to Victoria for the 2012 season. After a stellar career playing amongst the reserves of the Western competition, Venditti initially had doubted whether he was good enough to play VFL football.
“I maybe lacked a bit of confidence and self belief but I had great support around me.”
That support came from Rob Innis, a fitness coach at the time who encouraged Venditti to sign the contract and to give senior VFL football a crack. After his first season in 2012 with the Richmond alignment, he had doubts whether he could make the cut.
“Being with Richmond, their were only 5 or 6 spots a week for us Coburg boys. Each week you don’t really know if you’re going to get the nod or not, but I think playing in that game plan helped me significantly.”
And it certainly did. In 2013, Venditti rose to become a required midfielder in the Coburg side each week, regardless of the Richmond inclusions, going on to win the Jim Sullivan Medal for the Best and Fairest.
He took his game one step further in 2014, going back to back to share the award with Adam Saad, establishing himself as a premier midfielder of the competition.
But despite his wealth of individual accomplishments, Venditti aspires to a far greater goal.
“I’m disappointed we haven’t had the team successes that I would’ve liked, but the list we have this year is really exciting and I’m enjoying my mentor role at the club.”
At 28, Venditti is the second oldest player on the Coburg list this season, surpassed only by club’s captain Nick Carnell, but he has no intentions of retiring anytime soon.

For now, I’m just focused on playing. I’m enjoying my role in the leadership group where we really delve into and support and our mentor groups are great. When I was that age, the support I had from ex-AFL players was great and I look to repay what I’ve learnt to the new generation of talent.

“After a long off-season its good to finally get out there for Round 1.” he said.

Timeline

And no doubt, he’ll be using his experience on and off the field this year nurturing midfielders such as Ozgur Uysal, Cody Mance and other young ball winners.

“I always ask myself, how can I best represent the brand? If I can replicate like others did to me than I think that is really worthwhile.”

And this year, It’s another challenge for Daniel to take on. A new list, and a quest for a top eight finish, but if there’s something he is accustomed to, it’s achieving an objective. From moving across the country as a young midfielder with the majority of his family back in Perth, to now being one of the VFL’s elite midfielders, it’s something Daniel relishes.
“Hopefully we can play in September, my aim is to keep helping the club in any way I can.”
Even with his milestone game this Saturday, Venditti will only be thinking about the four points that he and 22 other men can achieve.
“Week by week, our mindset is improving, and we know that we’re good enough to beat the best sides. Hopefully we can get the four points this weekend and it’ll be a great way to celebrate.”