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CTV > ANZAC Day Winners' Circle CTV > Malthouse/Medhurst post-match press conference
CTV > Post match with Sharrod WellinghamSharrod Wellingham lived out a dream by making his debut in front of nearly 90,000 people in Collingwood’s 73-point ANZAC Day triumph over Essendon.
It’s been a huge week for the 19-year-old from Perth, who was elevated from the rookie list to the senior list, only to have that topped by learning he’d be making his debut in the biggest home-and-away game on the AFL fixture when Anthony Rocca was a late withdrawal from the side.
“It was awesome fun”, Wellingham told CTV after singing ‘Good Old Collingwood Forever’ for the first time and being soaked by his team mates in the process, in what is a customary initiation for Magpies who experience their first win.
The slick midfielder gathered 17 possessions at 82 per cent efficiency, including a perfectly weighted chip kick to Tarkyn Lockyer that set up the Magpies’ first goal of the second half, and laid four strong tackles and had two clearances.
“I thought for a second I was going to sneak a goal... but I saw Tarks over the top so I just popped it over.”
Wellingham, who learned he was a chance to play on Friday afternoon, admitted that standing in silence for The Last Post was an incredibly moving experience.
“It really is the cliché, the hairs on your neck really do stand on end, and it’s pretty cool.”
Like so many youngsters who have come into the Collingwood side over the past 12 months or so, Wellingham looked composed and confident on the big stage, and credited some of the people at the club who have influenced him the most, including housemate Nick Maxwell.
“Probably Maxy (is an influence), because I live with him, and he’s there pretty much every day.
“We’ve got the development coaches, Richo (Alan Richardson) and Browny (Gavin Brown), Licca (Paul Licuria) has been good, everyone’s good at helping me out.”
If Friday’s debut performance is anything to go by, Wellingham will get to experience many more ANZAC Day blockbusters in years to come.
