FIRST-year key forward Sam Weideman says he’s determined to keep plying his trade with Casey in the VFL, but he hopes to make his AFL debut later in the year.
Weideman, the grandson of Collingwood great Murray and the son of former Magpie Mark, said he was “happy playing in the VFL at the moment and developing my craft”.
“It’s really, really good to finally get some continuity in my football. I haven’t really had that in my past two years, so I’m really enjoying myself and it’s good to string a few games together,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“[Last round] it was nice to get on the end of a couple [and kick three goals against Collingwood in the VFL]. It really started to open up in the second half, so it made it a lot easier for me. It was really enjoyable.
“Hopefully before the end of the year, I’ll try and crack a game in the AFL and I hope I can make an impact there, but it’s a work in progress and I’m tracking quite well.”
Weideman said joining an AFL club had been a significant adjustment, but one he had embraced.
“It’s been a really big, but enjoyable change and I love it so far,” he said.
“I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else; it’s all I wanted to do since I was a kid.
“It’s very different to under-18 level – it’s a full-time job now – but I’m putting everything into it and I love it so far.”
Despite having several injury issues as a junior, Weideman said his body had adapted to the rigours of the AFL.
“I haven’t had any real issues so far, which has been a positive and is great for my confidence – knowing that my body is holding up really well,” he said.
“The strength and conditioning staff have done a really good job with me.”
Weideman said playing for Casey against Collingwood at the Holden Centre last Sunday had an unusual feel, given his strong black and white links, but it was one he enjoyed.
“It was a pretty good experience. My whole family goes for Collingwood, so it was a pretty good feeling,” he said.
“It was really nice to get a win over them and how I went against them was really positive.
“There were a few comments, when I was lining up for goal, saying that I was in the wrong jumper, but I just laughed that off. But it was good to get the result.”
As for his family converting to Melbourne, Weideman said it was a slow process.
“They’re pretty strong Collingwood [supporters], so I don’t think they’ll be changing too easily, but I’m hoping I’ve brought them over a little bit, but we’ll see,” he said with a laugh.
