After 11 years in the making, it's finally here.
There is just one more sleep to go before the WRFL take on the Southern Football League in the 2014 AFL Vic Metro Championships at VISY Park on March 29.
Whilst many of our players will be having a restless sleep in anticipation of pulling on the red, white and blue and running out on the field, one man who has done it all before is Port Melbourne Colts player Steve McAnulty. The 33-year-old is the only player on the senior interleague team to have played in the last Senior Interleague carnival which was cancelled.
The WRFL Media team caught up with McAnulty this week to discuss his feelings towards being part of this year’s AFL Vic Metro Champs.
You are the only player selected in the team this year to have played in the previous senior interleague carnival, how does that feel?
It makes me feel old but very grateful that my body is still allowing me to play and also honoured to be thought of to represent the league again especially with the quality of players in the WRFL this year.
What was the lead up to the old interleague like in comparison to this year?
The lead up last time… I was much more nervous as I was only young and trying to get selected over more mature guys and quality players. Nobody really knew who the young fellas were, so you had to impress from the get go. This time has been much more relaxed as I have played against most of the team selected for many years and being older has helped with what to expect from the training sessions
Tell us a little bit about the last interleague…
The last interleague Steve Thom was involved (maybe as coach I can't quite recall) but we had trained all the way through only for the Essendon District Football League to pull out at the last minute and from that year on the interleague was never played again. We had some very quality players that year maybe they were just too scared to play us!
In your opinion has the game changed much since the last carnival?
From last time to this time the game has changed a fair bit. I think it is much more professional these days-players really look after themselves a lot more and the game has gotten much faster due to rule changes and possibly me being too old to catch anyone.
How does it feel to be selected for this year’s squad?
It feels pretty good actually, especially as one of the older blokes, so it’s nice to be down here as an old bloke and get selected.
How do you think we will fair against the Southern Football League?
I’d have not idea about any of the southern sides, but I think we’ll be like most WRFL in and under and enjoy playing on a bigger ground so hopefully we do well…but overall, I think we’ll smash ‘em.
Show your support and see some of the west's best players do battle for the ultimate bragging rights from 11:15am at VISY Park, followed by the EDFL v NFL at 1:25pm and the VAFA v EFL at 3:35pm.
Tickets can be purchased at the gate from 10:30am with $10 for Adults, $5 for Concession/Pensioners and Children under 16 FREE.
Last Modified on 15/04/2014 09:42