Nick Malceski’s immediate impact on the Gold Coast has been recognised with the Sydney Swans premiership star announced on Friday as a member of the SUNS leadership group for 2015.
Last year’s All-Australian half-back revealed he didn’t covet a leadership title when he moved north following last season, but admits the recognition by his new teammates is flattering.
The 30-year-old signed a three-year deal with the SUNS in October, with his voice and direction on the training track standing out since his arrival.
“It’s very nice to be noticed this early in the piece by your teammates and getting the votes,” Malceski told the media on Friday following the leadership group announcement.
“I’m obviously doing the right things here and I’ll continue to do that and it will give me the confidence to do it more and more.
Malceski added to 2015 leadership group
“I was pretty vocal at Sydney at training and stuff like that. I think the thing that I’ve improved on here is just saying what I need to say. If I see something I’ll say it to some of the guys there.
“It’s probably given me a lot more confidence and its probably grown my leadership, even in meetings if I’ve got something to say I'll throw it up.”
With the ink still drying on his new contract, Malceski wasted no time getting to work. The polished left-footer joined the first-to-fourth year players when they returned for pre-season training in early November, a sign of his intent to get the most out of his football at Metricon Stadium.
By no means was a leadership title on his mind when he began training; Malceski simply saw it is an opportunity to get to know the younger players at the club. And after losing a Grand Final in bitterly disappointing circumstances, the veteran was ready to get back on the tools.
“I didn’t aspire to get into the leadership group. Just coming back early I guess for me to get to know the young guys in the group. I didn’t know anyone up here,” Malceski said.
“So I think me missing out a block of training, I would have been a lot behind. So that’s why I started early and obviously it’s helped me get to where I am now (in terms of leadership position).”
Coming from the heralded ‘Bloods culture’ at the Swans, Malceski admits noticing some improvement areas when he first arrived at the club.
The 2012 premiership star has helped drive a set of standards that new coach Rodney Eade has demanded since his arrival at the SUNS.
VIDEO: Go inside the locker room as GC SUNS coach Rodney Eade announces the 2015 leadership group.
“At Sydney I was brought straight into a culture where there were things that weren’t accepted and things that were accepted,” Malceski said.
“I guess I’ve learned that and its just gone with me through my career so I came here and I saw some stuff that I didn’t think was acceptable and Rocket’s also seen stuff as well. And the group’s improving and we’re heading in the right direction.”
With a large ensemble of high draft picks at the SUNS, it’s not surprising to hear Malceski speak about the group’s desire to sponge knowledge from the 176-game veteran. Especially given the triumphs and tribulations Malceski has been faced with throughout his career. His All-Australian and premiership accolades have both come following multiple knee reconstructions.
“They are a group that want to learn and want to improve and get better. Especially young defenders that have been coming to me and asking questions. I’ve just been sharing my knowledge,” he said.
