You’ve already fought off one challenge from a dogged opponent; this goal could put the game to bed.
That’s the scenario that confronted the Sydney Swans’ Brett Meredith in the final term against Richmond on Saturday.
In just his fifth game, the 20-year-old showed the requisite composure and skill to slot the goal and help the Swans to a 19-point win at the SCG.
After the game, he admitted to a fair dose of nerves as he went back and took his aim.
“I had a pretty big knock about five minutes before so I came back on and I didn’t know where I was meant to be going for a bit,” he said.
“I was pretty nervous when I had the ball but I slotted it through ... Sometimes they’re easier to kick, the long ones, I reckon. It takes the pressure off a bit, compared to the shorter ones.”
Meredith played his most productive game for the Swans on Sunday, racking up 12 touches, two tackles and two goals at from half forward.
It wasn’t the quantity of his touches that impressed; rather, it was the quality.
An incisive bouncing run and a deft handball to Heath Grundy for a goal in the second term were typical of his day.
“I got moved up the ground a bit more which helped me get my hands on the footy a bit more. I think I worked just as hard as I have been other weeks, though,” he said.
“I think you’ve just got to work hard and get into the right positions. I’ve been doing that most weeks and it’s good to end up with a bit more of the ball.”
Meredith said he was slowly coming to grips with the discipline and commitment required as a senior AFL footballer.
With a trip to the Cattery to face Geelong next Saturday, those qualities will need to be in evidence for a second successive week – something the Swans have struggled with in a rollercoaster season to date.
“I think we’ve just got to keep doing it now,” Meredith said.
“We’ve got to do it again next week and we’ve just got to be harder and harder each week. Everyone’s just got to keep putting in each week.
“As long as the senior boys are doing it, it’s going to flow through the whole team and all the younger blokes will follow on.”
