Indian-origin player Jai Saxena is close to creating history in Australian rules football. The 18-year-old has been drafted by Collingwood Football Club through the AFL Rookie Draft and now has a real chance of playing in the top-flight league when the new season begins in March.
Collingwood has confirmed that Saxena will wear the number 43 jersey in his debut year, a number once worn by former premiership captain Nick Maxwell. If he takes the field in an AFL match, he will become the first player of full Indian heritage to do so.
Who is Jai Saxena?
As reported by Collingwood FC, Saxena was born in Melbourne to Indian parent. At home, he follows Indian traditions closely. He grew up following Hawthorn and still remembers watching Cyril Rioli in the 2015 Grand Final.
Saxena has grown up having dal chawal, the family prays every morning and night, and Wednesdays often include a trip to the nearby temple. The car stereo switches between Bollywood hits and devotional music depending on who is driving.
Saxena will be the second player of full Indian heritage to be drafted to the AFL, after Balraj Singh in 1999. His selection at Collingwood brings him closer than ever to breaking a decades-long barrier.
Alongside this rich cultural upbringing, football has always been at the heart of everyday life. Even family visits to India include endless hours of kicking a footy in the park.
“We have lived in an Australian way, but we’ve always kept our Indian heritage with us. But football has always been central to how we’ve lived,” he told Collingwood FC.
Saxena’s football journey began when his father, who grew up a cricket fan in Delhi, took him to Auskick to fill a Sunday. Soon, everyone noticed his natural ability with the ball. He moved up through junior levels, eventually representing the Oakleigh Chargers in the Coates Talent League and joining Collingwood’s Next Generation Academy.
As his journey became more intensive, he realised that very few players around him had multicultural backgrounds like his. It never discouraged him, but he was aware that he was breaking new ground.
On the field, the challenge was more physical. He often played against bigger bodies and learned to rely on his football smarts instead of strength. “Knowing where to be and being smarter with my body work came naturally to me,” he explained to Collingwood FC.
Last year was tough for him, and his confidence dipped. But he turned things around by focusing only on enjoying the game rather than chasing the draft.
“If you are playing to get yourself drafted, then it’s not going to work,” he reminds himself. A five-goal performance in round three this year proved he had found his spark again.
Multicultural background of Jai Saxena and its impact
Jai understands what his rise means to the Indian and South Asian community in Australia. Though his relatives mostly follow cricket, they are now proudly watching him creating a path for himself. He wants to inspire others but stays calm about the growing attention.
“It’s a good feeling… I enjoy that other people get excited about it. For me, it’s all about focusing on the football,” he told Collingwood FC.
Even with this major career milestone, school remains important. After a long interview about his draft success, he casually mentioned having a math exam the next morning. His parents encourage him to balance both ambitions so he has a secure future no matter what happens in sport.