Suns rookie craves greater game time
SUNS rookie Max spencer is determined to back up a solid AFL debut when the Gold Coast tackle the competition’s longest away trip.
“It was a bit of a whirlwind,” Spencer said of his debut against Richmond, which came two days after he was upgraded from the rookie list last week.
“I blinked and missed it. There was a moment when I was standing on the ground and I came to the realisation that I’d basically done this before and I was just playing another game of footy.
“After that moment I was pretty comfortable out there.
“I just focused on beating my opponent in one on one situations and helping out my teammates.”
Suns coach Rodney Eade has labelled Spencer a certain starter for Saturday’s game against Fremantle at Domain Stadium and the 190cm tall defender said it presented another new challenge.
“You put a lot of time and effort into your preparation for your first game - it’s almost as if you are preparing for that day your whole life,” Spencer said.
“A lot of energy, commitment and dedication goes into that first game and that is a challenge in itself.
“The challenge now is to back that up and continue to do it every week so I can benefit the team and keep progressing along.”
Spencer was given a baptism of fire as the only “tall” Suns defender in his first game.
He could be joined by Steven May for this Saturday’s game with the co-captain tracking towards a return from a hamstring injury.
Spencer said it would improve his performance further.
“Steven is a massive part of the team anyway so just him being back makes everyone walk taller and it will certainly make me taller in the backline,” Spencer said.
“Steve’s voice and how he demands everything of his teammates will help me.
“Hopefully he can come back and slot in straight away and get the team off on the right foot.”
The 19-year-old Palm Beach Currumbin product said his aim was to play as many of the remaining four games of the season as he tries to gain valuable experience leading into the next pre-season.
“I’m still in a key part of my development,” Spencer said.
“If I do eventually play every game for the rest of the year I think that would be awesome. But in saying that if I don’t I won’t be down about it.
“I’ll just take the experience that I have gathered from at least these couple of games and take them into the preseason and continue developing.”
YOU PUT A LOT OF TIME AND EFFORT INTO YOUR PREPARATION FOR YOUR FIRST GAME – IT’S ALMOST AS IF YOU ARE PREPARING FOR THAT DAY YOUR WHOLE LIFE MAX SPENCER