Spangher eager to repay faith
Matt Spangher has been transformed from an Eagle to a Swan, and a backman to a forward …
MATT Spangher’s life has turned topsy turvy in the last 10 months.
Back then he was a West Coast Eagle’s player, living in Perth and plying his trade as a defender.
When he runs out on to Metricon Stadium tomorrow night against the Gold Coast Suns, he will be a Sydneysider playing his first senior game for the Swans, and is likely to line up in attack.
“I’m just wrapping my head around it to be honest,’’ Spangher told sydneyswans.com.au.
“I certainly never thought I’d play AFL as a forward but it’s been coming together the last few weeks so hopefully I can contribute.’’
Spangher, 24, is eager to repay the faith shown in him by the Swans coaching staff.
He played his last senior game in round 22 last year, wearing the blue and gold of the West Coast Eagles.
It was his 26th game for the club, and it was to be his last. He’d been drafted to the Eagles at the end of 2005, but the move had not worked out as he’d wanted and he was delisted at the end of last season.
Spangher still felt he had plenty to contribute as an AFL player, and was ecstatic when the Swans picked him up in last year’s national draft, with the Club’s fourth round selection (pick 73).
He trained well during the pre-season in Sydney until a thigh injury set him back for several months.
But in the past month Spangher has played in the Swans reserves and shown what he’s capable of.
Now he can’t wait to get out on the field tomorrow night.
“It’s pretty exciting, it’s been a long time coming,’’ Spangher said.
“I’ve had a few injuries but last few weeks in the reserves I’ve got things going ahead the right way and now I’ve got the call up.
“The first thing John (Longmire) asked me this week was do I think I’m ready for senior football, and I said I’ve been ready since November. So it’s nice to have the confidence of the coaches and get out there and pay back the opportunity I’ve been given.’’