Get To Know Your New Recruits – A Q&A With Tarir Bayok

If you love players with speed, skills and raw talent, then keep your eye out for Swan Districts new recruit, Tarir Bayok.

After moving to Australia from Sudan in 2007, it was only by chance he came across Aussie Rules, when a friend encouraged him to have a kick at the local footy club.

Tarir comes to the club with AFL experience, having been selected as the West Coast Eagles first ever Next Generation Academy pick, qualifying due to his Sudanese heritage.

Guaranteed to excite on the field, we are certain to see supporters donning his jersey number this coming season.

We caught up with Tarir to see how he started playing footy, what it was like at the Eagles and how he came to be at Swans.

Have you always played footy?

No. When I first moved here I was a soccer player. I then started playing other sports like basketball and volleyball. It was around 2010 when I first touched a footy.

Where did you first start playing?

I started playing out at Ellenbrook.

You said you only first touched a footy in 2010. How did that come about?

It first started when a mate came over and told me to come and try this sport they were playing on the oval. So I went down there with him. I didn’t have any footy boots, just walked in wearing skate shoes. We started playing around with the footy and fell in love with it from there. 

When did you start to think you were actually good enough to play footy as a career?

I made the State 18’s when I was still 17. I thought, I might keep going with this because I’m doing pretty well. I really loved the sport and it moved onwards from there.

You attended the draft combine in 2016 and clocked the fastest time for the 20m sprint (2.79secs). What was the draft combine like?

It was really good actually. I didn’t mind it at all. Except for the beep test. The beep test was a real struggle for me as I’m not usually a long distance runner.

You were the first ever Next Generation Academy selection for the West Coast Eagles. Tell us how you found out that the club were going to pick you up.

I actually didn’t know right away because I didn’t really watch much of the draft. West Coast had been talking to me a lot and would come to my house to have a chat with me. They told me they were looking at me as their Next Generation player. I didn’t really know what they were talking about with that, but they said that if no one else was to pick me up in the draft, they’d take me. 

So you weren’t watching the Draft to see if a club picked you up?

No, but only because I didn’t really know what it was or how it worked or anything.

So how did you find out you had been selected by West Coast?

I had a phone call from the club and they said they’d need me to come in so we can get some things sorted.

What was it like training with and learning from some of the AFL’s big names like Josh Kennedy, Andrew Gaff, Elliot Yeo and more?

It was an amazing experience. They are all such genuine blokes. I remember one night Luke Shuey took me out to dinner, just to have a chat with me. He comes into the club and speaks to everyone. I’m really not surprised that he is the captain for this year.

You were given the chance to pull on an Eagles jumper in a preseason game. What was that like for you?

Oh man, it was a scary feeling hey. I was really nervous and there was a lot going through my mind. The boys really got around me and told me to just go out there and play my game. I think I was the smallest player on the field too. These guys were running around at 186-187cms and they just seemed so much taller than me. It was a very good experience.

Was there much difference between playing against AFL players, and the guys in the WAFL?

It was very different. It was a lot quicker.

How did you receive the news that you weren’t going to be resigned?

I kind of knew it was going to happen. Simmo (coach Adam Simpson) called me to chat and gave me the option to come into the club or just speak on the phone. I was happy for him to just talk on the phone with me about it.

Was it tough news to take?

At first it wasn’t, but then the next day it sunk in. I didn’t know what to do with my life as I’d come straight out of school to be at the club. So that was pretty hard especially.

You went back to play at East Perth. What made you decide to come and play for the Swan Districts?

When I went back, I wasn’t really sure if I even wanted to play footy anymore, and my head was all over the place at the time. I wasn’t really enjoying myself. I started to lose the love for footy a bit and when I was dropped for Round 1, it made it worse.

What strengths do you bring to the team?

I’m going to bring my speed and my skills. I want to help the team out by taking the game on. These were the things I didn’t really get the chance to use when playing for the Eagles. I can kick with both feet so will bring that into it as well.  

What are you hoping to achieve while you are with the club?

I really want to get the most out of myself again, and look to get my love back for the game. I’m really excited to play with the fellas here.  

Along with playing at Swans, what else do you do?

I’m currently talking with the club to see if there is anything for me here.

Do you still have the desire to make it back onto an AFL list?

Nah not really I don’t think. I just want to play the best footy I can.

What AFL club do you barrack for?

West Coast. Definitely West Coast. I hope they win it this year.

Round 1 of the 2020 Optus WAFL Premiership Season sees the Swans take on ladder leaders and reigning Premiers, Subiaco, on April 4^th at 2:15pm.

Don’t miss a moment of the action. Get your 2020 Swan Districts Membership at the club today!