AND SO IT PROVED July 12, 2012 was a big day for many.
In the UK, the band oft referred as the ‘Greatest rock and roll band in the world’ the Rolling Stones celebrated its 50th year since its first ever gig at London’s Marquee Club.
Across the other side of the world, a youngster by the name of Tom Couch celebrated his own milestone, following a long journey to reach the main stage.
And while the two celebrated their respective achievements, it was via Twitter that they coincided. In fact, in Australia at one point, Couch was one rung above the Rolling Stones in terms of trending.
Although few can gazump the Rolling Stones, Couch had a chuckle when he realised he was on top of the legendary rockers on the Twitter ladder for a period.
“I told my Mum that and she couldn’t believe it,” he told melbournefc.com.au with a laugh.
“It’s all a bit of fun.”
Still, the fact that Couch was named in Melbourne’s starting 22 for Saturday’s clash against Fremantle at Etihad Stadium was a story of perseverance for the 24 year-old, following several years of being overlooked in the drafting period.
He had played country football in Geelong, played for Glenelg in the SANFL, and plied his trade with Collingwood in the VFL, before he was selected at No. 24 in last December’s NAB AFL Rookie Draft.
So, when coach Mark Neeld told Couch on Wednesday at training that he would be selected in the side, which was confirmed via the announcement of Melbourne’s selection on Thursday, the midfielder said it was a surreal moment.
“Neeldy came up to me at training and asked me if I was good to go and I said ‘definitely’,” he said.
“It didn’t really sink in [at the time]. I just went out and trained, but the [feeling] was hard to explain.
“I’ve been waiting to hear those words for so long that when you hear it, it’s a bit of a buzz and I was walking on clouds for a bit.”
Couch has had a fine season for Casey, regularly winning strong disposal numbers. His effort last round against Port Melbourne at Casey Fields resulted in 25 touches and four goals.
His VFL form has attracted plenty of attention from the red and blue faithful, and he has developed something of a cult following.
“I appreciate all of the support from Melbourne supporters - they’re very passionate, and I know they follow Casey in the VFL,” he said.
“They check the results carefully, and it’s been nice that they think I should be out there playing with the boys.
“It feels really good that the supporters are behind you 100 per cent.”
Although there have been plenty of supporters calling for Couch’s inclusion in the senior side sooner, he has understood why he has had to hone his craft with the Scorpions.
He said that Neeld, who he regards as his biggest influence at Melbourne, had made him fully aware of why he had to bide his time.
“A lot of people have asked why I haven’t been playing and they’re getting worried for you that you’re not getting a game, when you’re getting 25 or 30 possessions [per match in the VFL],” he said.
“But it was made clear to me what I needed to work on, and I was pretty comfortable with where I sat.
“Neeldy is the coach, and there is no better person to talk to about what I need to improve. [Midfield coaches] Brian Royal and Aaron Greaves have also helped me work on those things in more detail. But Neeldy is the main person [who has helped me the most].”
Couch acknowledged that the defensive side of his game was the area he needed to work on the most.
“I just had to get reprogrammed. I’ve always been a ball player and you realise if you get 30 possessions a game, you’ve only got the ball in your hands for about a minute,” he said.
“So it’s about the other 119 minutes - what you do when your teammates have got the ball, and what you do when they’ve got the ball or when it’s in dispute.
“A lot of it is about structures, too. Last year, when I played for Collingwood in the VFL, I’d rock up and wouldn’t know what the structures were and I’d just wing it. At Bell Park, we didn’t even have structures, so it’s about learning the whole system and running patterns. The AFL is a big step up from where I’ve come from.”
Couch, the son of Geelong great and 1989 Brownlow Medallist Paul, said his parents and family had been outstanding in his quest to play at the highest level.
“Mum and Dad are pretty excited. They’re really rapt and I wouldn’t be here without their support - I’ve relied pretty heavily on them for the last six years since playing with [Geelong] Falcons,” he said.
“Their support, plus the rest of my family and all of my friends have been great.
“I got a lot of messages from family and friends and they’re all excited and coming up [from Geelong] for the game, so it’ll be great to share the experience with them.”
Now he has the opportunity to show his wares, Couch is determined to make the most of it.
Couch may not have got what he wanted initially early in his career, but he now has the opportunity to show his wares.
He has gained some satisfaction in reaching the big stage.
Now he wants to make the most of it, and not fade away.
In the UK, the band oft referred as the ‘Greatest rock and roll band in the world’ the Rolling Stones celebrated its 50th year since its first ever gig at London’s Marquee Club.
Across the other side of the world, a youngster by the name of Tom Couch celebrated his own milestone, following a long journey to reach the main stage.
And while the two celebrated their respective achievements, it was via Twitter that they coincided. In fact, in Australia at one point, Couch was one rung above the Rolling Stones in terms of trending.
Although few can gazump the Rolling Stones, Couch had a chuckle when he realised he was on top of the legendary rockers on the Twitter ladder for a period.
“I told my Mum that and she couldn’t believe it,” he told melbournefc.com.au with a laugh.
“It’s all a bit of fun.”
Still, the fact that Couch was named in Melbourne’s starting 22 for Saturday’s clash against Fremantle at Etihad Stadium was a story of perseverance for the 24 year-old, following several years of being overlooked in the drafting period.
He had played country football in Geelong, played for Glenelg in the SANFL, and plied his trade with Collingwood in the VFL, before he was selected at No. 24 in last December’s NAB AFL Rookie Draft.
So, when coach Mark Neeld told Couch on Wednesday at training that he would be selected in the side, which was confirmed via the announcement of Melbourne’s selection on Thursday, the midfielder said it was a surreal moment.
“Neeldy came up to me at training and asked me if I was good to go and I said ‘definitely’,” he said.
“It didn’t really sink in [at the time]. I just went out and trained, but the [feeling] was hard to explain.
“I’ve been waiting to hear those words for so long that when you hear it, it’s a bit of a buzz and I was walking on clouds for a bit.”
Couch has had a fine season for Casey, regularly winning strong disposal numbers. His effort last round against Port Melbourne at Casey Fields resulted in 25 touches and four goals.
His VFL form has attracted plenty of attention from the red and blue faithful, and he has developed something of a cult following.
“I appreciate all of the support from Melbourne supporters - they’re very passionate, and I know they follow Casey in the VFL,” he said.
“They check the results carefully, and it’s been nice that they think I should be out there playing with the boys.
“It feels really good that the supporters are behind you 100 per cent.”
Although there have been plenty of supporters calling for Couch’s inclusion in the senior side sooner, he has understood why he has had to hone his craft with the Scorpions.
He said that Neeld, who he regards as his biggest influence at Melbourne, had made him fully aware of why he had to bide his time.
“A lot of people have asked why I haven’t been playing and they’re getting worried for you that you’re not getting a game, when you’re getting 25 or 30 possessions [per match in the VFL],” he said.
“But it was made clear to me what I needed to work on, and I was pretty comfortable with where I sat.
“Neeldy is the coach, and there is no better person to talk to about what I need to improve. [Midfield coaches] Brian Royal and Aaron Greaves have also helped me work on those things in more detail. But Neeldy is the main person [who has helped me the most].”
Couch acknowledged that the defensive side of his game was the area he needed to work on the most.
“I just had to get reprogrammed. I’ve always been a ball player and you realise if you get 30 possessions a game, you’ve only got the ball in your hands for about a minute,” he said.
“So it’s about the other 119 minutes - what you do when your teammates have got the ball, and what you do when they’ve got the ball or when it’s in dispute.
“A lot of it is about structures, too. Last year, when I played for Collingwood in the VFL, I’d rock up and wouldn’t know what the structures were and I’d just wing it. At Bell Park, we didn’t even have structures, so it’s about learning the whole system and running patterns. The AFL is a big step up from where I’ve come from.”
Couch, the son of Geelong great and 1989 Brownlow Medallist Paul, said his parents and family had been outstanding in his quest to play at the highest level.
“Mum and Dad are pretty excited. They’re really rapt and I wouldn’t be here without their support - I’ve relied pretty heavily on them for the last six years since playing with [Geelong] Falcons,” he said.
“Their support, plus the rest of my family and all of my friends have been great.
“I got a lot of messages from family and friends and they’re all excited and coming up [from Geelong] for the game, so it’ll be great to share the experience with them.”
Now he has the opportunity to show his wares, Couch is determined to make the most of it.
Couch may not have got what he wanted initially early in his career, but he now has the opportunity to show his wares.
He has gained some satisfaction in reaching the big stage.
Now he wants to make the most of it, and not fade away.
