AFTER starting as a substitute in last year’s clash against Port Adelaide in Alice Springs, hard-at-it midfielder Jack Viney is ready to make amends when Melbourne takes on the Power at TIO Traeger Park on Saturday.
Viney, who missed six matches with a fractured fibula before remarkably coming straight back into the AFL, said it was a frustrating situation, being eased back in that way.
“Last year, I came back from the broken leg, which was a different experience being the sub, but I’m really excited to go up there. I’m looking forward to it and it should be a good game,” he told Melbourne TV.
“It’s been really good since I fractured my leg. My body has been pretty consistent with no dramas. [I feel like] I’m starting to find some good football, so I’m just loving it at the moment and trying to get out there every week and play well.
“Every time we’ve played Port, we’ve felt like we’ve got pretty close and then maybe it’s the second half or the last quarter where they’ve run away from us a little bit.
“We’re really looking forward to getting up there and putting our brand [of football] on display and hopefully beat them this time.”
In the inaugural home and away match at TIO Traeger Park in round 11, 2014, Viney had 25 touches, which at that point was the second most disposals he had in a match. That was his 21st game.
He has now played 58 games for Melbourne and become one of its most important players.