SYDNEY Stack says the disappointment of missing Richmond's premiership last year has been a driving force this pre-season as he aims to back up a stunning debut campaign.
NEW SHOW IN TOWN What is Yokayi Footy? Check it out
The Richmond youngster burst onto the scene last year as a Pre-Season Supplemental Selection Period signing for the Tigers, becoming a key player in their charge to the finals.
An ankle injury in round 21 threatened to end his year, but he returned to feature in the club's VFL Grand Final win.
However, Stack suffered a slight ankle injury in the contest and was named an emergency for the Tigers' AFL Grand Final thumping of Greater Western Sydney, missing out on the club's historic victory.
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"The year turned out pretty quickly. It all happened so fast and the next thing I know I was debuting and then at the end of the year. Unfortunately I got injured, but it was a great team success and win, and a great club to be a part of," Stack told AFL.com.au.
"It was pretty tough for me [to miss the Grand Final], but I couldn't be any happier. I reflected on my life that day and thought back to where I was. [After the game] I was on the field crying with Alex Rance, actually. I was very proud to be a part of the team and help them get there."
The 19-year-old has enjoyed a strong pre-season, including a brilliant high grab over Giant Toby Greene last weekend in the Marsh Community Series.
Stack said the mixed emotions of playing such a part in the Tigers' home and away season but missing the finals had spurred him on over summer.
"I'm definitely at my best fitness wise and feeling good with my form so I'm ticking all the boxes. It definitely makes me a lot more hungry to get back this year and play good footy," he said.
"I'm just hanging out for it now."
Stack was speaking at the launch of Yokayi Footy, a new panel show to feature weekly on NITV, AFL.com.au and the AFL Official Live App, SBS Viceland and SBS On Demand this season. The show will celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players at all levels and communities.
NEW SHOW IN TOWN What is Yokayi Footy? Check it out
Stack was one of a number of players from around the AFL to attend the launch in Melbourne, including St Kilda trio Jade Gresham, Paddy Ryder and Bradley Hill and returning Blues forward Eddie Betts.
"It's good to see all the leaders here getting around it here, like Eddie Betts and [Anthony] McDonald-Tipungwuti, so it turned out really well," he said.
"It's great to tell our own story in Australia and listen to different sides of Indigenous culture."
