Talk in back corridors of upstart Rhyan Mansell being somewhat a smokey on AFL draft day last year was a long way off listening to the North Launceston teenager reflect nearly six months on.
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That's pretty easy to say now, hitting his groove in the new Tasmania Devils set-up.
But his reassuring tone almost indicates there was a sense of relief he was overlooked for another season.
"It's actually quite funny," Mansell said.
"I started just a year after everyone my age. I only came into the [AFL Tasmania] program in under-17s.
"So I sort of saw it as this year being my best year to put my best foot forward.
"I never thought I'd get picked [last year]."
The pair are close enough, but it took a catch up last Friday before the Kangaroos' home encounter in Hobart against Sydney to get up to speed for the first time this year with the high standards expected from an AFL club.
"I reckon Taz is going pretty well," Mansell said from Thomas's seven games so far.
"I have been watching his games on TV. I haven't been able to talk to him too much as he's deleted most of his social media."
Mansell's motivation from Thomas rising from the same cloth that has included last year's TSL grand final for the Bombers pair gave the over-age utility more time to think about his game. More time to add another dimension.
The full season of 17 NAB League games allows him to stand out from the crowd.
He is making the best of his last Tasmanian experience.
"We had a really good start to the year and won a fair few games - didn't lose any, actually. Going into this year, we knew there was a lot of younger players coming through, but there is probably 10 of us over-agers in the squad too," Mansell said.
"We have taken upon ourselves to take the younger guys under our wing to show what the culture was last year and get that in this year."
Mansell is sure that experience against men has fast-tracked his AFL ambitions.
"Playing senior football at State League has definitely helped my game to take a step up in this competition. These players aren't as big, but they're quicker and the games are quicker," he said.
"There's probably more intensity in these games, but back in State League you've got to be pretty hard too."
Andrew Mathieson
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
