NEW Demon Aaron vandenBerg says making his first official AFL appearance was a “nerve-wracking” experience, but the mature-age rookie quickly settled to make an impressive debut.
Although starting as a sub, vandenBerg kicked a goal and had nine touches after coming on in the second half. But he was expecting to start later in the match.
“I didn’t actually find out I was playing until Wednesday morning, so it all came on pretty quick. Knowing I was coming on as a sub, I probably wasn’t as nervous as most of the other boys before the game,” he told Dee TV.
“I didn’t think I’d come on at the break and I went into the team meeting and that’s when I saw my name on the board and that’s when it really started to kick in.
“Thankfully, when I ran out there in the first five minutes, I went away and it became a bit of a battle from then on.”
The recently turned 23-year-old said his first match contained some “good things and some bad things” and he was determined to build on his first-up effort.
“The main focus for me going into the game was just to play my role, especially on that half-forward line – it’s integral to move up and down the ground and help support the team,” he said.
“I thought I did some good stuff, but there is definitely room for improvement.”
Having been claimed as a rookie in late November last year, vandenBerg made his debut for the Demons after working hard to overcome a shoulder injury, which he had when he arrived at the club.
“It was certainly hard running laps and watching the team train and I didn’t actually come into the main group until about the end of January, so I’ve only really had a month or a month and a half with the boys,” he said.
“But it feels really good and credit to all of the staff and physios – they have done [work on it] week in, week out and I’m really thankful for that.
“I just want to make sure I get the body conditioned, because I’ve got a little bit of extra running on Monday, so I’ll make sure I’m right to go by then and then I’ll take it one week at a time.”
