The bulky 18-year-old midfielder trained the house down over the summer, and had been knocking on the door for a Round 1 debut against St. Kilda before going down with a broken wrist in the side’s 25-point victory over Melbourne during their NAB Challenge match, forcing the talented junior to watch on from the sidelines for six weeks.
The fearless on-baller attacked his rehabilitation with the same level of professionalism and determination that saw him taken with the SUNS’ first selection in the national 2013 AFL Draft (pick 13), and starred in his return to football against the Brisbane Lions reserves during the inaugural ANZAC Day clash in Mackay – earning himself a much-anticipated debut match against the Dockers this Saturday night.
Speaking exclusively with goldcoastfc.com.au, Lonergan said his hopes of a first team call up had diminished following the Club’s comprehensive performance against the Giants.
“They were really strong across the park last week and I was resigned to going back and working hard for Shaun Hart in the NEAFL and then Bluey called me in to his office and gave me the news by congratulating me on being selected for my AFL debut. It was a very surreal moment and to be honest I wasn’t sure if I had heard him correctly,” said Lonergan.
“I’m rapt to be earning a call-up; it’ll be my first AFL match, and while I won’t prepare any differently, I’ll certainly be thinking about it leading up to the match.”
Lonergan said his family had been overwhelmed by the news he’d be making his debut against the Docker’s on the weekend.
“My parents are over the moon, and my grand-parents were pretty stoked as well,” said Lonergan.
“They’ll be coming up from Tassie to watch the game so it’ll be good to share it with them.”
Meanwhile, fellow recruit Tim Sumner continues to edge closer towards his dream of playing AFL footy after being named as an emergency for a consecutive week following his impressive return to the NEAFL last month. Like Lonergan, Sumner has shone during his NEAFL performances so far this year.
