EMERGING Demon Dom Barry says he feels fortunate to play with a club that will continue to play AFL matches in the Northern Territory.
Barry, who hails from Alice Springs, will play his second AFL match in Darwin on Saturday night against Fremantle at TIO Stadium. He said he was delighted that the Demons will play another four home and away matches in the Northern Territory in 2015-16.
“On a personal level, it gives me the opportunity to play in front of my family and close friends a bit more, but I think it’s a great partnership Melbourne and the AFL have with the NT,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“It’s important to bring AFL exposure to the NT people – I think it’s great.
“I feel very lucky to be playing [for the club that plays in the NT].”
Barry said he couldn’t believe that his second AFL match was set to be in his native territory.
“I feel pretty honoured and lucky to come up here and play in front of my home Territory crowd,” he said.
“There are a lot of Demons supporters up here now and that’s a legacy that ‘Flash’ (Aaron Davey) left behind, along with guys like Liam Jurrah and Aussie Wonaeamirri and the other Demons who have come from this way.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
Barry, who made his AFL debut against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium last Sunday, said he found his first match a “full-on” experience.
“AFL level is really quick and a lot faster than VFL level, so you’ve got to be switched on the whole time,” he said.
“When I came on as sub, I was pretty fresh and a lot of the other guys were worn out, so I tried to use that to my advantage. I tried to keep running and running and running, and make the defenders even more tired.
“I was pretty happy with how I went and I just love being out there.”
But starting as a substitute meant that it was an anxious time waiting for his first crack at the big time.
“I was pretty nervous before the game, because I didn’t really know what to expect at AFL level, because I hadn’t been there before in a game for premiership points,” he said.
“Sitting on the bench for three quarters, I was pretty anxious and waiting just to get out there. You don’t know what’s happening – you don’t know if someone’s going to get concussed and you’ll only come on for 20 minutes. Or you could come on at any time.”
“This week, I’ll just prepare the same as I did last week or as I do any other game. I’ll just try and play my role for the team.”
As for the rest of the 2014 season, Barry said his aim was to play more AFL matches, keep his spot in the team and simply gain more experience.
“Roosy (Paul Roos) was happy with me last week, because I played my role – that’s all he wants from the team,” he said.
