From the moment his dad, a rusted-on Richmond fan, pencilled the middle name “Tiger” on to his birth certificate, Kane Emery’s destiny as a footballer was set.
The Emery family’s love of the yellow and black can be thanked for more than just the inspiration behind his name – it set Kane on a path that has brought him to Bond University as the 2026 Riewoldt Family AFL Excellence Scholarship recipient.
“My dad is a massive Richmond Football Club fan,” Emery said.
“He actually wanted my first name to be Tiger, but Mum thought it was a bit outrageous, so they settled on Tiger being my middle name.”
Emery’s footy career took a significant step forward last year when he established himself in the Northern Bullants’ VFL side, playing 16 games to add to the two he clocked up as an under-ager in 2024.
“My first VFL game was pretty cool,” Emery said.
“I was 18 at the time and I’d never played senior footy – there were about 12 AFL players playing, and I managed to go pretty well and kick a goal.”
Gold Coast was quick to notice, inviting him to train over summer and selecting him in its VFL side for Thursday’s pre-season trial against the Brisbane Lions.
The Bond Bachelor of Business student followed a well-trodden path to campus, joining the contingent of Xavier College alumni who are now the backbone of the Bull Sharks. Premiership players Nick Francis, Miles Enders and Ned Betts are all former schoolboy teammates of Emery’s.
“Last year when I was playing in the VFL, I realised I wanted to change up my lifestyle a little bit, so I decided to apply for the scholarship,” Emery said.
“All my mates from Xavier College are up at Bond playing footy and studying and I was pretty jealous of them all, to be honest.
“My mate Nick Francis (premiership player and 2024 AFL Riewoldt Excellence Scholar) said being at Bond has been the best two years he’s ever had, so I’ve been contemplating the move for a while. When I was awarded the scholarship, I was pretty ecstatic.”
After claiming the 2025 QFA premiership flag in a thrilling extra-time grand final against Coolangatta, the Bull Sharks have sights set on back-to-back flags.
Pre-season has only reinforced Emery’s belief he made the right call moving north.
“Pre-season has been full on,” Emery said.
“Bond strength and conditioning coach Matthew Kennedy has been smashing us in training.
“All the squad have got great personalities, there’s a lot of good values within the group, everyone looks after each other and it’s very team-oriented.”
That team-first mindset is something Emery has admired in Richmond premiership captain Trent Cotchin, alongside superstar Dustin Martin.
“I love Dustin Martin, but I really admire what Trent Cotchin did,” Emery said.
“Cotchin was a superstar, but he fully gave up his playing style to benefit his team.
“I remember watching him in the 2013 elimination final against Carlton; it’s my first memory of AFL. We were winning the whole game and then with about 10 minutes to go, Carlton kicked about four goals and we lost – I cried a lot that day.”