It’s been quite the journey to the big time for mature-aged recruit Mackenzie Willis.
The 20-year-old arrived at Metricon Stadium almost five months ago to the day after being selected with pick No. 52 in last year’s national draft, coming to the Gold Coast from Kingborough in the Tasmanian State League.
After some impressive form in the NEAFL over the past month, Willis has earned his AFL debut for the SUNS against Geelong at Simonds Stadium this Saturday night.
“It was kind of out of the blue I suppose,” Willis told SUNS TV on Thursday afternoon.
“He (coach Rodney Eade) grabbed me after training and just came up and shook my hand and said ‘mate, you’re in’.
“So it was pretty unexpected for me, I was super surprised and just really excited for the opportunity.”
The Tasmanian is ferocious in his attack on the football and takes the game on, an approach that’s encouraged within the four walls at Carrara.
Willis will slot into an undermanned back six against the Cats, likely taking the role of Adam Saad who will miss this week’s clash with injury.
“I play pretty bold as a defender and that’s what they want us to be,” he said.
“I like to describe myself as just really hard to play against, really hard at the footy and really good in the contest and try and break the lines with my speed as well.”
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The defensive unit at the SUNS is a tight-knit one with Willis crediting revered leader Nick Malceski, fellow Tasmanian Henry Schade and development coach Max Rooke for being positive influences on his game.
“Nick Malceski and Henry Schade has been really good for me as well, another Tassie boy,” Willis said.
“Those sort of guys have been helping me out to learn the ropes, learning that position and know how to play that role really well.
“Even Max Rooke, my DOC coach, he’s just been really terrific, just giving me little bits of advice here and there and just keeping me level-headed.”
The coaching staff have told Willis he just needs to go out and play his role against Geelong and be competitive, and that’s exactly what the former pizza delivery driver will look to do.
“I’m not really putting any huge expectations on myself,” he said.
“I’m just going to go out there and play really hard and just be super desperate to defend and play my role for the team and the rest will take care of itself.”
