Young defender Sam Murray says he can’t wait to show the competition that he is worthy of the high price Collingwood paid to secure his services last year.
The 20-year-old joined the Magpies in the 2017 NAB AFL Trade Period from Sydney, where the number 66 pick in the 2015 rookie draft failed to play a senior game.
However the Pies parted ways with a future second round pick to obtain Murray after a sterling season for the Swans’ reserves in the NEAFL last season, where he earned a spot in the competition’s team of the year.
This form was continued in the defender’s first appearance in the black and white on Saturday, starring with 24 disposals at 62.5 per cent efficiency, nine marks, seven rebound 50s and five inside 50s in Collingwood’s 33 point JLT Community Series win over the Western Bulldogs.
Murray hopes that his game in Moe is only a tastes of what’s to come this season.
“No one has probably ever seen me play. That’s what I keep telling myself,” he told SEN’s KB and The Doc.
“Hopefully a little bit of what I did on the weekend will start turning a few heads.”
Murray added that he was “super happy” with his debut performance for the Pies.
“I was just happy to get out there and play footy to be honest,” he said.
“It was a long two years at Sydney without opportunity due to them being such a good side, but to get out there and just play footy was unreal. I felt right at home.”
The youngster says he is hopeful of a place in Collingwood’s Round 1 side to take on Hawthorn at the MCG on Saturday March 24.
“It obviously plays on your mind when you’re at the footy club every day, that’s what we’re training towards, Round 1,” said Murray.
“I’m definitely pretty optimistic and hope that I can put the jumper on for Round 1, but I’m not sure. We’ll have to wait and see.”
Listen to Sam Murray chatting with Kevin Bartlett and Dr Turf below: