Former Wodonga Raiders’ excitement machine Sam Murray is banking on a positional change fast-tracking his AFL career with the Sydney Swans.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Murray was in Raiders’ dressing room after the club’s 48-point loss to Lavington on Sunday.
“I had a career change about two rounds in, playing NEAFL,” he said.
“I went to a back flank so I can play to my game a bit more down back and use my run, which is probably my biggest strength.
“I’m probably a lot more comfortable down there, I’m just trying to get that consistency in my game and slowly push my way up to senior selection.
“It’s a bit frustrating, there’s no spots on the senior list, our team’s pretty stocked with good players, so you just have to bide your time in the NEAFL and hope consistency gets you an opportunity.”
The most noticeable change in Murray is his size.
He left the league as a 183-centimetre, 75-kilogram wingman but is now 188 and a solidly-built 84.
He spent his debut season up forward at the Swans.
“I had a couple of days off so I thought I’d drop down,” he said.
“It’s good to give a bit back, I haven’t been here in a while, but it was a disappointing effort by the boys, it would have been good to see them win.”
The 19-year-old was a feel-good story of 2015.
He played in Henty’s premiership the previous season and then starred with Raiders at O and M level, finishing runner-up in the best and fairest after a series of dazzling displays, featuring some stunning goals.
