West Australian Josh Schoenfeld will make his AFL debut this Saturday afternoon against the Fremantle Dockers after being confirmed as an inclusion by coach Rodney Eade at his Thursday afternoon media call.
Schoenfeld was selected with pick No. 34 in last year’s National Draft and becomes the 39th player to represent the SUNS in 2016 after some solid form in the reserves, averaging 20.3 disposals per game over the last three weeks.
The 19-year-old received the good news at Tuesday’s team meeting and revealed to SUNS TV he’s expected just to play his role on Saturday.
“Rocket came up and just said take the pressure off myself. Don’t expect to be one of the best players straight away, just play my role on the wing,” he said.
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“Just run my patterns, the winger patterns and when it’s my turn to make a contest, make a contest. He’s not too fussed if I don’t get a lot of the ball or not, just play my role.”
Schoenfeld arrived at Metricon Stadium in November already an elite athlete, setting a new record for the 3km time trial at last year’s draft combine as well as achieving the second best shuttle run in combine history.
Despite his obvious aerobic ability, the youngster revealed he had learned a lot over the last three weeks playing alongside 2013 Ron Evans medallist Jaeger O’Meara in the NEAFL, particularly his work-rate.
“I guess just how hard he works,” Schoenfeld said.
“His running’s elite, he just never stops running. The intensity he runs at is unbelievable so just that and his professionalism, pre and post game, is something I took a lot from.”
Schoenfeld also credited the influence of SUNS Head of Development, Matthew Lappin, on his career to date with his improvement at the contest a strong factor behind the round 18 call-up.
“He’s been working closely with me and he’s been helping me improve on the aspects I need to improve on and obviously still working on my strengths,” he said.
“So he’s been the one that’s sat down with me every week, helping me get better.
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“Strength-wise coming in I was a pretty skinny lad so I worked on that pretty hard and just working on my contested side of the game. It’s improved a fair bit and that’s probably why I got my chance now.”
With his family on their way to the Gold Coast from WA, a win on debut against the Dockers would just top off the experience.
“I think we’re in for a big game, it’s going to be a massive opportunity for the club to get another win on the board,” he said.
“So it’d be unbelievable if we could get a win to top it all off.”
