Richmond Tigers debutant knew he was 'ready' for big leagueJon Pierik
The Age
April 4, 2015Emerging Richmond midfielder Kamdyn McIntosh knew he was ready to step out in the seniors - he just needed his body to remain healthy.
After two tough seasons cut down by injury, McIntosh found himself in the form of his life on Thursday night, as he introduced himself to the football world by being one of the Tigers' best in their 27-point season-opening win over the wayward-kicking Blues at the MCG.
The West Australian from Pinjarra, about 86 kilometres south of Perth and well known for its trotting club, had 23 touches, including a sizzling goal in the second term when he dashed away from his opponent Chris Judd and kick-started the Tigers' resurgence.
His run and carry were key factors in the win, and - provided he can handle the greater opposition analysis expected to come his way - McIntosh will add more depth to the midfield.
"I have always dreamt of playing like this and playing in front of a crowd like that," McIntosh said.
"I was pretty nervous at the start, going out for the warm-up. I just tried to soak it all up but, as the game went on I just tried to clear my thoughts and play the way we play."
Despite two injury-cursed seasons, the Tigers handed McIntosh a one-year contract extension last year, believing he had the tools to help the team grow.
"I feel I am definitely ready. My first year didn't go the way I wanted it to. I ended up having shoulder surgery towards the back end of the season and then in my second year I ended up having my appendix taken out in round six and missed a couple of weeks there," he said.
"I played one game back and had foot surgery. Pretty much my whole second season I didn't play a whole lot of footy.
"Then I had a whole pre-season this year, up and going and no injuries, so I feel like I was pretty ready for it."
He certainly was ready for it, highlighted when he sharked a pack and stormed away from Judd to boot the Tigers' fourth goal at a time when the Blues had led by almost four goals. The Tigers controlled the match from that moment.
"Growing up I barracked for Carlton, to be honest. To play on Juddy, I idolised him as a kid growing up when he was with West Coast and when he changed to Carlton," McIntosh said.
"To line up on Juddy was a pretty big thrill but, yeah, I just tried to play our way and do what I do best. I ended up kicking a 'snag' on him."
McIntosh had also been busy pre-match organising tickets for his family, for he had six sisters, two brothers and his parents to think of. However, while four weren't able to make the game from Perth, he was delighted to meet his three-month old nephew, Kobi, for the first time.
There were also other things on mind, for he turned 21 on Friday. There was to be a family celebration on Friday night, and another with his friends and teammates on Saturday.
Skipper Trent Cotchin provided some pertinent advice after being named in the team.
"He said to maybe switch off your phone, which I did (on Wednesday night) because I was getting bombarded with a few calls. I just wanted to clear my head and not think about the game too much because so much was already going on," McIntosh said.
"'Cotchy' also said: 'Just stay calm, it's just another game, do what you have been doing through the NAB Cup.' He was real wise with what he said."
Having converted from soccer at the age of 15, McIntosh - a second-round draft selection in 2012 - has enjoyed a relatively rapid rise. Now comes the task of replicating his deeds against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday, where the Tigers may not have Brett Deledio, who was reported for a heavy hit on Simon White inside the opening minute.
Deledio was substituted out of the game in the final term, with the Tigers wary of his ongoing Achilles issue. He diligently iced the region as soon as he returned to the dressing room.
Coach Damien Hardwick opted to not judge the incident with White but was delighted how his team fought back through the efforts of McIntosh and others such as Brandon Ellis and Taylor Hunt.
"We probably tried to move the ball a little bit too aggressively at the start in the pressure of the game. Carlton, to their credit, came out and hit us pretty hard early, but the great thing for our footy club and a sign of the maturity of our group is that they took that," Hardwick said.
"We were well behind on the scoreboard and we started to turn the game our way. It's a great sign of our maturity and the evolving leadership of our group."
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/richmond-tigers-debutant-knew-he-was-ready-for-big-league-20150403-1me3br.html
