From Maryborough to Sandringham: Get to know Jake Lohmann
14/06/2022
Fan favourite Jake Lohmann talks footy, work and his love for Maryborough.
Jake Lohmann joined the Zebras ahead of the 2022 VFL season. When he first came down to the Club, he was excited just to be trying out and looking to get a full pre-season with the Zebs, but before long he was offered a contract and playing his first VFL game for Sandringham.
“I absolutely love it here. I only knew one person, Trent Dennis-Lane (Assistant Coach), when I first came down but everyone made me feel really welcome. It’s probably been my favourite pre-season,” says Lohmann.
Lohmann’s connection with Dennis-Lane comes through their work with LifeChanger, a youth wellbeing and empowerment organisation. Lohmann was originally studying journalism when he got a call from his cousin telling him about a role opening up at LifeChanger, and once he found out more about the organisation, Lohmann jumped at the opportunity to make a difference.
“I love that I get to empower young teens and impact their lives. I visit schools and footy clubs running workshops for children from years 5 to 12. I love my job and wake up excited about the day,” explains Lohmann.
Lohmann has found that his job has given him a greater awareness of the things he does in his own life, including goal setting and visualisation.
When it comes to pre-game routines, Lohmann is superstitious and always prepares the same way – eating garlic bread and spaghetti the night before, drinking lots of water, writing some goals for the game, having eggs, bacon and avo for breakfast (along with a coffee), going for a walk, trying to relax, visualisation, and perhaps most importantly, wearing his grey Tommy Hilfiger jocks.
Aside from Lohmann’s preparation and willingness to always want to do better, credit also goes to his family and girlfriend, Grace, who according to Lohmann’s Pop is “the best thing that’s ever happened to him [Jake]”.
While Lohmann’s making a name for himself in Metro Melbourne, he’ll always be a country boy at heart.
“I grew up in Maryborough where everyone knows everyone; it’s full of good people and I love it. I used to know every AFL player from every team by number and I’d walk down the street and people would just ask me “Hey, who’s number 11 from Fremantle” and I’d know it. I still go back home as much as I can and I play my local footy there. You can take the boy out of Maryborough but you can’t take Maryborough out of the boy,” says Lohmann.
There have been many highlights for Lohmann in his first season at Sandringham, but the most enjoyable aspect is just being part of the Club itself…
“I’ve been my true self and really feel like I belong. I’ve also had the opportunity to take on some good roles, including MC’ing our Player Sponsor Night”.
As for Lohmann’s bleach blonde hairstyle, it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon,
“It was a wheelspin for not doing my wellness program for the day, I had to either bleach or shave it. I think it’ll stay for this year at least, it’s sort of become my identity”.
We're now over half way through the 2022 VFL season and Lohmann has some clear goals,
“Short term, definitely playing finals and becoming more united as a team and a club. Longer term I want to try play AFL. Once my brother Kai was drafted, it gave me a lot of motivation.”
5 Rapid Fire Questions
What are your hobbies outside of footy?
“I love cooking – for my first date with Grace I cooked her dinner. I also love watching movies, spending time with family and friends and going to the beach. I used to go down to Ocean Grove every year for about 13 years.”
What's your favourite movie?
"Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban"
What’s your favourite food/snack?
“Steak or red licorice”
Favourite AFL/AFLW team?
“Hawthorn. I went for Essendon as a kid but I was crying all the time because they were losing and mum got sick of it.
Favourite AFL/AFLW player?
“Gary Ablett Junior or Buddy. Being a Hawks supporter, I also liked Sam Mitchell, Luke Hodge and Cyril Rioli”
Written by Courtney Banks