JAMES Magner says he would’ve turned his back on attempting to make it at the highest level at the end of 2012, had he not been drafted last December by Melbourne.
The hard-at-it midfielder will make his AFL debut against Brisbane Lions at the MCG on Saturday, at the age of 24.
After being overlooked in several drafts, the nominated rookie - meaning he is eligible to play in the seniors all season - conceded he was disheartened at times when he was overlooked by clubs, but never gave up hope.
“I thought realistically I had a chance until I was 24 or 25 [years old] and then after that I was going to give it away,” Magner said at AAMI Park on Friday morning.
“This year would’ve been my last year at VFL.
“So I’m super grateful for the opportunity Melbourne has given me, and I’m loving every minute of it.”
Magner said he was excited and relieved when he found out he would be making his debut in round one. He added that he wasn’t a nervous or superstitious person.
“I’m not losing any sleep or anything like that at the moment,” he said.
“I had a finger injury and there were a few queries over it, but it’s all good now and I’m just looking forward to Saturday now,” he said.
The clearance specialist said he had “tried to do every little thing right” since he arrived at Melbourne, and had “left no stone unturned”.
Magner, who played his junior football at Beaconsfield and with Dandenong Stingrays in the TAC Cup, then carved out an impressive VFL career with Frankston and Sandringham.
Much of his career was under the guidance of former Melbourne star Brett Lovett.
Magner paid tribute to the now Casey coach.
“He says that he had nothing to do with it, but I’m sure he had a big part in it,” he said.
“He’s been really influential in my career, and he coached me at Frankston when I first went down there.
“He coached me at Sandringham last year, and I can’t speak highly enough of Brett. He’s been great for me.”
Magner, who previously worked as an underground borer, said he now had the best job in the world.
“I had to work in construction and that was tough work,” he said.
“I spent a lot more time away from home than I do now, because I was working long days and then having to train after that.”
As for his expectations heading into his first game, Magner was relaxed about his ensuing debut.
“I just want to go out and play my natural game, which is aggressive.
“If I do all the basic things, everything else will come after that, so I’m not putting any expectations on me.
“I know the coaches aren’t putting any expectations on me either.”
The hard-at-it midfielder will make his AFL debut against Brisbane Lions at the MCG on Saturday, at the age of 24.
After being overlooked in several drafts, the nominated rookie - meaning he is eligible to play in the seniors all season - conceded he was disheartened at times when he was overlooked by clubs, but never gave up hope.
“I thought realistically I had a chance until I was 24 or 25 [years old] and then after that I was going to give it away,” Magner said at AAMI Park on Friday morning.
“This year would’ve been my last year at VFL.
“So I’m super grateful for the opportunity Melbourne has given me, and I’m loving every minute of it.”
Magner said he was excited and relieved when he found out he would be making his debut in round one. He added that he wasn’t a nervous or superstitious person.
“I’m not losing any sleep or anything like that at the moment,” he said.
“I had a finger injury and there were a few queries over it, but it’s all good now and I’m just looking forward to Saturday now,” he said.
The clearance specialist said he had “tried to do every little thing right” since he arrived at Melbourne, and had “left no stone unturned”.
Magner, who played his junior football at Beaconsfield and with Dandenong Stingrays in the TAC Cup, then carved out an impressive VFL career with Frankston and Sandringham.
Much of his career was under the guidance of former Melbourne star Brett Lovett.
Magner paid tribute to the now Casey coach.
“He says that he had nothing to do with it, but I’m sure he had a big part in it,” he said.
“He’s been really influential in my career, and he coached me at Frankston when I first went down there.
“He coached me at Sandringham last year, and I can’t speak highly enough of Brett. He’s been great for me.”
Magner, who previously worked as an underground borer, said he now had the best job in the world.
“I had to work in construction and that was tough work,” he said.
“I spent a lot more time away from home than I do now, because I was working long days and then having to train after that.”
As for his expectations heading into his first game, Magner was relaxed about his ensuing debut.
“I just want to go out and play my natural game, which is aggressive.
“If I do all the basic things, everything else will come after that, so I’m not putting any expectations on me.
“I know the coaches aren’t putting any expectations on me either.”
