He's a beautifully weighted kick of the footy which is always nice for a small forward so hopefully he can snag a few goals.
- Tom McDonald
ALBURY youngster Charlie Spargo hasn't let a shoulder reconstruction hold him back on the training track at Melbourne.
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Spargo joined the Demons two weeks ago after being picked up with selection No.29 and has impressed key position player Tom McDonald with his work ethic.
"Charlie's a nippy little small forward," McDonald told Sportsday Radio.
"He's had a shoulder reconstruction which I had at this stage last year and that can be a tough one to ground from.
"But he's going really well.
"I think he had surgery mid-season or early season so he's actually doing quite a bit."
Spargo, who suffered the injury during the national under-18 championships, was thrilled to stay in Melbourne after completing his schooling at Melbourne Grammar this year.
He is restricted in the gym as he regains strength in his shoulder and hopes to be training fully with the main group by the end of pre-season.
"He shows some really good signs," McDonald said.
"He's a beautifully weighted kick of the footy which is always nice for a small forward so hopefully he can snag a few goals.
"He seems like a pretty diligent hard-working young fellow and that's what you look for when they come in.
"He's put his best foot forward so far."
Spargo's transition has been made easier by connections at the Demons.
“Mitch King is a family friend and I’ve known him for a while, with him being a ‘Bushy’ (Murray Bushrangers) from Wodonga, just over the border,” he said.
“Then I was also family friends with Angus Brayshaw for a while, because his dad (Mark) and my dad (Paul) played together at North Melbourne.”
Albury centreman Daniel Cross is also employed by the Demons in a development/rehabilitation coaching role.
“It’s definitely good to already know some people at the club and have more mentors and people who can help you out.”
The former Murray Bushranger said he was keen to continue a family tradition after being a fourth generation Spargo to enter VFL/AFL ranks.
“I only found out the other Friday night that my great grandfather, Bob, played for Melbourne on top of playing for Footscray so it’s a pretty big honour to continue the tradition,” he said.
“In saying that, Dad wasn’t hung up on me getting drafted and he always supported me on whatever I did.”