2015 was a landmark year for Henry Schade with the Gold Coast key defender rising from the depths of the SUNS list to establish himself as a regular selection in Rodney Eade’s evolving back six.
It may have taken more than three years to earn a game, and more time than any other player in the club’s history to debut, but once he did in round five, Schade played 15 of the final 18 games, demonstrating his ability to play on a range of different forwards.
Schade capped off his breakthrough season by recently announcing he had inked a new two-year deal, tying the Tasmanian backman to Metricon Stadium until the end of 2017.
After waiting so long to earn an opportunity at the highest level, the 21-year-old was pleased with the progress he made in 2015, and with his contract dealt with in a succinct manner; Schade is focused on improving his game.
“It was certainly a pleasing year to get some games under my belt. It was definitely a step in the right direction and to get the re-signing done was really good, it was really nice to get that done and focus on improving my footy further and keep improving,” Schade told goldcoastfc.com.au.
Over the course of last pre season, Schade was one of the biggest improvers. An early appearance in the NAB Challenge series opposed to two-time premiership powerhouse Tom Hawkins was Schade’s first exposure to senior football and a moment that demonstrated he could handle himself at the highest level.
With Steven May and Rory Thompson missing games in the first half of the season, the door opened for the North Hobart product. Schade grasped his opportunity, and despite being handed daunting tasks for even the most seasoned operators, the defender’s confidence grew from the exposure.
“I think confidence was a big one for me. I got that NAB cup game early on against Geelong. I played against Tom Hawkins because we had ‘Maysie’ and Rory Thompson out at that stage,” Schade said.
“So I guess I got an opportunity then where if there weren’t as many injuries I probably wouldn’t have.
“And then from there I knew that I had to take my opportunities with both hands and from there I got a few more opportunities and gradually grew in confidence which I think was big for me – just sort of knowing that I belonged in the team and that I’m able to compete at that level.
“At the time I would have loved to have had ‘Maysie’ and Rory there, but I guess it was a good opportunity on the flipside of that to get more exposure and play on guys like [Josh] Kennedy.
“It was definitely good, certainly nerve wracking at the time, but something I look back on and really thank for what it gave me in terms of confidence and the knowledge of how to play on those kinds of guys.”
The continued emergence of May as one of the premier key defenders in the game has provided Schade with a perfect sounding board, someone who makes life easier for those around him, not only in the heat of battle, but during the week when it comes to preparation – both physically and studiously.
Schade praised May’s influence on his football, lauding the Northern Territorian’s passion which he says galvanises the group and makes players walk taller just by playing alongside him.
“He’s been super for me. Obviously being one of the key backs for our team and a bit more of a senior player, he’s someone that I really look up to in terms of how he plays,” Schade said.
“He’s a really good leader on and off the field, he drags blokes along with him and he’s a really passionate guy and that’s something I love about him. He’s been fantastic for me.”
Schade will close out his year with an appearance in Saturday’s AFL Grand Final sprint. At 196cm, and more renowned for his destructive spoiling than his turn of pace, he will be a rank outside with the bookmakers. But given his rise in 2015, not much appears beyond him. Write him off at your own peril.
