Sunday morning didn’t go quite how Lewis Young expected it to.
But not in a bad way.
The emerging key defender was set to run out for Footscray that afternoon in a VFL clash with North Melbourne, before an early wake-up changed everything.
“(It was) an interesting morning,” Young said post-game.
“I woke up at about 7am from a phone call from (GM of Football) Chris Maple – he woke me up and said you’re coming up to Sydney and playing.
“I just tried to be relaxed and calm with it all, and take it in my stride.”
Tim English made the trip to Sydney, but was a late withdrawal due to illness.
It meant Young was stationed down back, with Jackson Trengove playing as the primary ruckman.
The 20-year-old settled quickly and had a significant impact.
Young won 17 disposals and claimed seven marks, to go with a game-high nine one-percenters and an equal game-high six rebound-50s.
It was just his third match at AFL level this season, and his first since round three.
“The guys in the backline were really good, the leadership of Easton Wood and Zaine Cordy was awesome,” Young said.
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“It took me maybe a quarter to get use to the speed and back into it, but I felt at home after that.”
Young said it had been a pleasing defensive performance, aided by the efforts of his Bulldog teammates higher up the ground.
“The forwards and mids put such good pressure on the ball, we just kept it in our half the whole second half,” he said
“We didn’t let them score, so it was really good to see that.”
