Graham takes path less travelledrichmondfc.com.au
By Mic Cullen | Fri 02 October, 2009
IT'S BEEN a rocky road to the AFL for Angus Graham.
Since making the move from King Island in the Bass Strait – where they have just three footy teams, so you get a bye every third week – he's played school footy, gone into the TAC Cup, been rookie listed, elevated, injured and send back the VFL to recover, and moved into the number one ruck spot for the Tigers.
Graham was elevated for 2007, but broke his ankle towards the end of that year. His subsequent lack of fitness meant no AFL for 2008.
Still just 22, Graham played 16 games in 2009, missing several due to hamstring tightness and a desire by the Tigers to protect his young body.
He also averaged 14 hit-outs (the same as Troy Simmonds), nine disposals and – importantly – three tackles a game in 2009 as he grabbed the number-one ruck spot for the Tigers.
However, despite consolidating his position in the Tigers best 22, Graham wasn't getting too excited by 2009.
"I suppose I've had an OK year, considering," he told richmondfc.com.au.
"Given the year I've come off, the year before, I've learned a lot of things and I'll take a lot into next year."
But 2010 is something he's looking forward to getting into.
"I'm pretty excited, obviously – a new coach, new structures, I'm not sure what to expect.
"There's a bit of excitement, I think, with everyone.
"We've had a little taste of the preseason and that was OK – pre-season's always a hard time of year, but exciting at the same time.
"You get fit, and this year I think we're going to learn new things, and overall the players look like they're in OK nick at the moment, so let's hope it stays that way and we get a jump on the rest of the competition."
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