A strong Will is shining through
Derrington’s Suns run
A Cairns Saints gun is making massive strides towards an AFL dream after a strong performance for the Gold Coast Suns to start the season.
Will Derrington played in his second VFL game for the Suns in a massive victory over Richmond at Punt Road Oval in Victoria.
Derrington said his game continues to get better and better every week.
“I am learning a lot of different things about my game and how I need to work on certain things as well,” Derrington said.
“There was one play where I sort of dived on the ball and was tackled immediately and was pinged for holding the ball.
“And as much as it sucks getting pinged, it was good for me to learn, because at that level you don’t have a lot of time to make mistakes.”
Derrington debuted for the Suns in the round one win over Williamstown before senior players came back the following week from injury, pushing him back into the under-18s. He took what he had learned back into his game for several weeks before earning another call up back into the side. “I played limited minutes this game against Richmond but that was part of the plan with the coaches,” Derrington said.
“Running out onto Punt Road was an unreal feeling, so much history at that ground. “Didn’t stand next to any players from the Tigers that I had watched before but from what I was told they had six to seven AFL listed players playing.”
The Suns defeated Richmond by 73 points in the round six clash and will now host the Casey Demons on Saturday May 6. Derrington is hopeful he can maintain his spot in the side. “I would love to keep my spot. I have learnt a lot over the two games I have played in the VFL,” Derrington said.
“But I know, if I go back into the 18s then I will take what I have learnt and keep challenging myself to get back into it.” jake.garland@news.com.au