BATHURST Giant on Saturday, Panorama Red Goat on Sunday, feeling sore Monday - that's now part of Max Currie's weekly routine and he is embracing it.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A Saint Pat's Old Boys cricketer during the summer sport season, this winter he is not only spending Sunday's playing in the Bathurst District Football premier league men's competition, but contesting AFL Central West matches on Saturday as well.
The 19-year-old had no prior Aussie rules experience before joining the Giants in the top tier men's competition, but his other sporting skills have helped him to adjust.
"I've played a lot of soccer, my whole life, and cricket as well, the catching goes hand-in-hand and the ole kicking side of things converts across relatively well," Currie said.
"I'm liking it a lot, it's different to anything I've ever done, it's unique. I'm still sort of learning the whole spacial awareness side of the game, learning how to read the game, but I'm enjoying it.
"A few mates of mine were playing in the Giants and they just sort of convinced me to come across and give it a go."
Currie has spent time in the forward pocket and on the centre-half-forward line during the Giants' four games thus far.
When asked what the biggest adjustment has been, Currie has a clear front runner.
"I would definitely say the physical contact. I scared me a bit at first, but it's something that I've gotten used to, it doesn't hurt too bad," he said.
"But yeah Monday's are rough," he added with a laugh.
"I'm just keen to keep learning, I'm having a good time and I want to keep to playing."
This Saturday Currie and his fellow Giants will face the competition-leading Bathurst Bushrangers for the third time in five weeks.
Though the rivalry is new to Currie, it is one he is fast learning about.
He knows the more experienced Bushrangers - who have beaten the Giants by 37 and 78 points respectively in their two matches - are the favourites to extend their unbeaten start to the season.
But Currie also knows the Giants have learned from those defeats and will be buoyed by beating the Orange Tigers last Saturday.
"After winning everyone now believes a bit more I guess, we were very demoralised after a few losses, but we dug deep last weekend and it helped everyone gel together as a side," he said.
"Two of our four games so far being against them [Bushies] has really cemented that rivalry. I'm looking forward to it, it should be good. I like the local crowd that gets around it, it gets you going.
"Our fourth quarter against the Bushies when we last played I think we learned a thing or two. I think we kept it to a four to two goal run which is good for us, so chances are we will stick that this weekend.
"At the end of the day we are a pretty young side, so it's good to see what the benchmark of local footy is, it's something you can strive to in the near future."
