Sometimes, even AFL players need an extra spark of motivation to reignite their passion for the game and push them to achieve the impossible week in, week out.
Senior coach Rodney Eade has been that catalyst for Brandon Matera, who has turned the events of recent weeks into the ultimate kick-start for the 2016 AFL season.
Shortly prior to last Thursday’s three-point loss against West Coast in NAB2, Eade presented Matera a challenge.
“He (Eade) said to me before the game to make sure my workrate and pressure was up,” Matera told the Gold Coast Bulletin.
“All I thought when I was out there was getting back to help the defence and getting forward to provide an option.”
Matera’s thought process worked. The West Australian’s defensive pressure was near faultless, even bolting close to 80m at one point in order to smother the ball.
READ: There's a lot to like- Eade
But Eade’s words for Matera came on the back of the 23-year-old not being selected for the SUNS’ NAB1 win against Brisbane two weeks prior.
“It did hurt,” Matera said.
“It was a bit of a wake-up call not getting picked for the first NAB game.”
Experts often talk of the dedication it takes to become an elite AFL footballer, going above-and-beyond the already persistent training schedules to ensure no stone has been left unturned in preparation for a contest.
In order to reclaim his place on the final team sheet, Matera has been turning those stones.
“I had no energy going into training and I didn’t tell them at that stage and kept training but I have learnt my lesson from that,” he said.
“I made sure for the past two weeks I was training hard and doing the extras after and before training.
“I was doing extra kicking with Trent McKenzie, doing some repeat stuff and running.
“I just have to keep that up and keep improving my game now.”
READ: SUNS headed for gripping NAB3 match
It is predicted the SUNS will play a full-strength side in the final NAB Challenge clash against Adelaide Crows at Metricon Stadium on March 11.
“We have got a few boys that will come in this week that didn’t play at West Coast so it’s going to be hard but I’ll just keep doing the things I have been at training and keep the extras up,” Matera said.
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