But Weller was all smiles at Metricon Stadium yesterday morning, after being named on the interchange bench for today’s Round 14 clash against Adelaide this weekend.
“I’ve been working tirelessly on my game for the last four weeks through the seconds and I’m grateful for the opportunity to run out there against Adelaide this Saturday,” Weller told goldcoastfc.com.au after the senior team’s final training session.
It’s had been a gruelling rehabilitation process for the 21-year-old Tasmanian, that included a personalised training program with Head of Fitness Paul Haines while the rest of the senior squad trained as a team.
“I’ve learned a lot about myself and feel like I’m ready to step up and play some good footy in the seniors,” he said.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity and look forward to it.”
Weller says a return to senior football couldn’t have come at a better time for the courageous half-back, with the Gold Coast SUNS set to go head to head against pre-season premiership fancies this Saturday.
“They are a great footy club… we’re equal on the ladder and so we are expecting them to come out fighting,” said Weller.
“We have been pretty good with the contested footy so far this year, so if we keep playing our game we can take it right up to them.”
Although the expected crowd attendance stands at around 13,000 for the daylight showdown, Weller said the usual buzz around the stadium precinct projected the volume of a full capacity arena.
“Our crowd always seem to get behind us and even with our recent number it still seems like were playing in front of 50,000 people,” Weller said.
“They have been great since Day One and I don’t’ see them not showing up tomorrow.”
