This is his blog written exclusively for kangaroos.com.au which gives readers a unique insight into what it’s like to play in one of the toughest competitions in the world.
For the past two weeks, I have been in the backline which isn’t new to me. With Daniel Pratt and Michael Firrito both out for different reasons, we needed to fill the void and I was the chosen one.
I played at half-back during top age for the Geelong Falcons and a few more on the back flank last year.
I don’t mind it but you can’t hesitate with whatever you do. In the midfield, you motor around a bit but down back there’s a lot of changing pace and more top end speed work or sprints. In saying that, when the ball goes forward, it’s a chance to get a break and catch my breath. You have to be switched on at all times and conscious of where your man is.
Against Adelaide I played against Chris Knights for the majority of the game and against Gold Coast I had Danny Stanley, Luke Russell, Nathan Krakouer and a bit of David Swallow in the last quarter.
In the first quarter I realised that even though some of the Suns’ players were big-bodied, they weren’t overly aggressive and I felt more on top physically in one-on-one battles. It was unfamiliar for me because against Adelaide, when I went into their forward line, most of the players down there gave me a whack and let me know I wasn’t welcome.
In the second half, Gold Coast pushed two of their bigger guys up the ground and attempted to create space over the back. I had to be more aware with my positioning and not let it turn into a foot-race. Michael Firrito helped me out heaps and told me where to stand so I wouldn’t expose myself.
With Spud and Brady, they are the leaders of the club on the field and they are always yelling out orders and advising me where to be if I get a little lost in play. It’s a great way to learn, having them there in support fast-tracks your knowledge of the game.
I like playing in the midfield just as much as down back. When I’m in the guts, I love winning the contested ball and tackling. In defence it’s more do or die and makes me more aware and accountable because I know if I get beaten, a goal could be kicked. I’m also able to play more game-time and was on the ground for about 98 percent of the game compared to about 60 to 70 percent when I play in the middle.
At one stage of the game, the ball was in dispute and I found myself going head to head with Gary Ablett. He got there just a split second before me so I went to tackle him. Trying to bring him to ground was harder than I thought. He is so strong through the hips and the core which makes him tough to stop. He is also amazing at keeping his feet so you can’t go to ground when he is around.
I didn’t hear much from the coaches during the game which is a good thing, but there was one instance when Darren Crocker had a little go at me. In the second quarter I was kicking out from the back pocket and I saw a few boys hitting up but my kick went wide and I picked out a Suns’ player. Crock came to me with his tongue in his cheek and said something along the lines of, “Good hit-up to their midfielders…you really picked him out with a three on one!” Daniel Harris was the first to come and give me a bump and tell me the kick was no good. It was a bad stuff up but I didn’t sook about it because it wasn’t going to help me for the rest of the game. My old mate Wellsy came to me at half-time knowing I was pretty frustrated and told me to keep my chin up and move one.
Now that I am between the backline and midfield groups, Crock came to me at training and asked me to make sure I don’t forget about the midfield guys and to pop my head in now and then.
With Nathan Grima back, I have no idea which position I’ll be playing in this weekend.
