Meyer over the moon
Jason Phelan
Exclusive to afl.com.au
26 May, 2005
Richmond recruit Danny Meyer has been on a steep learning curve since being drafted by the Tigers at number 12 last year but the young South Australian couldn't be happier with his move to Punt Road.
It's always a big task for an interstate recruit to settle into a new club but the transition from Glenelg Tiger in the SANFL to Richmond Tiger in the AFL has been relatively smooth for the Sacred Heart college product.
"It was a big move especially just before Christmas," Meyer says.
"I had literally half a week to pack my bags and go, so I didn't get a hell of a lot of time to prepare to come over.
"Everyone was heaps friendly and they made me feel really welcome so I fit in pretty quickly which was good. Obviously the workload was a bit of a shock because I came straight into preseason but the boys get you through it really well and it's all been very positve.
"When I got here I was really nervous because I didn't know what to expect but just how friendly and how busy it was with all the training sessions - I didn't really get any time to worry too much and so far I haven't been homesick at all."
The 18-year-old admits to being a bit starstruck when first meeting the likes of Wayne Campbell and Matthew Richardson but says the older players were a great help as he learned to adapt to life in the big league.
"It was a bit of a shock at first," he says.
"I was in awe at the first few trainings just going, 'Oh my God, what am I doing here?,' but once I settled down and just started talking to the blokes and realised they're just normal blokes it was fine.
"It's been a big step up (from the SANFL). The intensity at training has been a lot higher and the pressure and how fast the game is just a massive step up.
"The pace, the speed and the blokes are a lot bigger as well - a lot bigger!"
Meyer has a lightning turn of pace and has worked hard to add five kilos to his draft weight to allow him to withstand the rigours of senior footy.
High-profile recruits Brett Deledio and Richard Tambling have received most of the media attention since their arrival at the club and that's just fine with him.
"So far it's been pretty good because they've had most of the spotlight," he says.
"It's taken a bit of the pressure off me. I've been able to just cruise along and do my own thing which has been really good."
In fact, Meyer has done more than 'just cruise along'. His impressive weight gain was matched by a string of eye-catching performances with Coburg that led to his AFL debut against Port in round six.
And while Meyer didn't expect to play senior football so early, he's won plenty of admirers with his style of play and is working hard to cement his spot.
His pace and elusive skills have led some supporters to compare him to a young Gavin Wanganeen - a comparison that Meyer is flattered by but says he'll have to work hard to live up to.
"I think it's more looks than anything at this stage," he laughs.
"In my first game when I stood him I had my socks down, my shirt out and looked all scruffy which is what he was looking like and we're a similar height so I think that's about it at this stage.
"If I can be half as good as him it would be pretty good."
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