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Furies Stalwart looks back
by Harland Sanders, Jr.
On the eve of his 150th game as a senior SFA player, Fighting Furies veteran and utility Grockadoc has granted us an interview reflecting on his career to date. Joining us for an interview on Furyvision, the one time rfctigerarmy medallist gave an insight into his life as an SFA player.
HSJ: Firstly Grockadoc, thanks for joining us on Furyvision, and congratulations on what will be your 150th game this week against the Royals.
Grockadoc: Thanks Harland. I am pretty humbled to have played as many games as what I have, but a little disappointed I missed a game earlier this year. It would have been a bit poetic to play my 150th against a side that you debuted for, considering I started out at the Demons. It wasn't to be though, so now the Royals are the ones I face in my milestone game, and hopefully I can contribute and the boys can get up. A win would be nice, as well.
HSJ: I am glad you touched on the Demons. You debuted for the Demons in season 10. How did that come about?
Grockadoc: I remember going out for lunch with friends, after filing an application with the SFA to join the league. It wasn’t long until I got a phone call from then Demons captain EBIAC telling me the Demons had picked me up. I honestly couldn't believe it, you know? I entered the club around the same time as one of the Demons guns in cooney, who has become a great player for the club. I managed to play three games as forward and didn’t really live up to the standards I set myself, which impacted on my confidence.
HSJ: Is that why you joined the Furies for season 11?
Grockadoc: Well, not exactly. I was greatful for the Demons for signing me, but even with that gratitude, I just didn’t feel comfortable there. I am not particularly sure why. Perhaps it was because my confidence got dinted after a couple of poor performances. Maybe it was my personality that clashed with some of the other players. It’s one of those things that I look back on and still cannot figure out the source of my happiness. Perhaps I was the problem. Perhaps it was the club that affected me. All I know is that I needed to get out before the problems really started to manifest themselves in others. I didn’t want to be a cancer to club, so to speak.
HSJ: And you ended up becoming a Furies player in the transfer period. Tell us how you ended up as a Fury.
Grockadoc: Well, I had sounded out potential clubs after I realised that I wasn’t happy at the Demons and one of those clubs were the Furies. The Furies leadership group and I had a conversation about where they thought the club would be heading, and where I potentially could fit in. They had a few players who they were looking to upgrade in terms of contributing on and off the field and they thought that I could be a very welcome addition to their club. I had a tour of the club, and met some of the boys, and I just felt like this was where I was supposed to be. It sounds cheesy I know, but I just loved the club from the outset. The boys really took a shine to me, and that made it a lot easier to tell the club that I’d be delighted to join them.
HSJ: And the next thing you know, you had played all but one game and had become a premiership player.
Grockadoc: Yeah, that was a bit of luck and good timing. I knew the club had been tracking upwards over the past few seasons before I joined them, and it turns out they hit their stride as I came along. Rather fortunate. I had played as a bit of a utility, sometimes playing at halfback, or on a forward flank, and I felt that whilst my numbers weren’t huge, that I still had a contribution to the side and helped them reach a fourth premiership in the SFA. And unlike at the Demons, I really felt happy at the club and that for me was absolutely huge. That, I think was the reason my confidence was at its highest it had been for some time and as a result I felt my performances reflected that.
HSJ: After a couple of seasons of being unsettled in regards to playing in one permanent position, you were elected into the Furies leadership group and shifted to the midfield and that seemed to be suited to you. How did you feel about all that?
Grockadoc: I was surprised when they approached me with a role in the leadership group. I thought that, despite being a good clubman that I wasn’t a strong person leadership wise, but they convinced me that it was because of my attitude and work ethic that they wanted me to be a leader. They said they were after someone who led from the front. I gladly accepted but still felt a little inadequate in regards to thinking I wasn’t good enough for the role. Despite that, it is one of the proudest moments of my career to date. I was a little hesitant when Filthy Sanchez offered me the midfield role as well. It meant I had to become a lot fitter and shed some weight and I have lost 13 kilograms since I walked into the club. Given I had played much of my football as a Centre Half Forward, I needed to slim down a little to build my endurance up. I felt the benefits of it almost instantly. I felt more explosive, and stronger throughout my body which really helped me transition into the midfield. I have always prided myself on being a defensively minded player, and that is what I really tried to bring to the side. I felt if I was pressuring the opposition, it made our defenders job that little bit easier and would give us a better chance of winning.
HSJ: And all that effort you put in culminated in you taking home the rfctigerarmy Medal for the Furies Best and Fairest in season 15. That must have been a tremendous honour.
Grockadoc: Absolutely. I never expected to be on a club’s honour board when I started, especially when we had terrific players such as tigland, Filthy Sanchez, the great man rfctigerarmy himself, BILC and Eagleoz83. I was sure Eagle would take it out and was absolutely stunned to hear my name announced as the winner, especially in a successful season for the club. I am just a little disappointed that we didn’t get the win in the Grand Final.
HSJ: If you were disappointed in Season 15 to lose the premiership, Season 16 must have been horrible for the club.
Grockadoc: Yeah, the end of Season 16 was the flattest I had ever felt at the club, and certainly the flattest I had seen the club as a whole. We spent all off season after the loss to the Wonders working harder than we had to try and rectify it and win a fifth premiership. We were all determined to do what we couldn’t in season 15, and we again found ourselves in a position to clinch another flag. We came up against the Gumbies in the Season 16 grand final and felt confident after we flogged them just a couple of weeks previous. We ended up falling agonizingly short of the Gumbies, in what wasthe closest Grand Final margin in SFA history. We ended losing two consecutive grand finals by a total of just 7 points, and the club was distraught. Credit to the others in the leadership group, for getting the boys and the club back up after suffering another letdown.
HSJ: For the past couple of seasons, you have been shifted around again, and have finally been settled in at half back this season. How are you finding it, and do you miss being a permanent midfielder?
Grockadoc: I’ve always prided myself on doing exactly as the captain requested of me. We had a few younger guys coming through such as This Is Anfield, Hate and Wacky Tiger, and it was thought that a midfield role for them would be essential in continuing their development. So I was asked if I minded a move to the half back line and agreed. I’d spent a fair amount of time there previously, so I knew what to expect. All credit to the younger boys on really stepping up in the midfield, too. It just goes to show how deep the talent runs at the Furies. In regards to missing it, I do a little, but for the most part
HSJ: The Furies again have had a productive season, and I am sure you are keen for it to continue.
Grocakdoc: Indeed. There are a few of us floating around who were there for the disappointments in Season 15 and Season 16, and most of us are still looking to atone for the missed opportunities. We feel we have got a really good squad this year and our team is reasonably strong, so we have every reason to be confident we can go deep into finals.
HSJ: And if you do, what will be next for you?
Grockadoc: The answer is going to be the same, whether this year is successful or not. I will be sticking with the Furies again, provided Wacky Tiger and tigland will be happy to have me. My body is still feeling really good and I think I still have something to offer and that I can contribute to the side in a variety of capacities. The first 149 games were just the beginning. Hopefully the next 150 are even better!
HSJ: That’s a sentiment that I agree with, Grockadoc. Thanks for joining us on Furyision, and again congratulations on reaching 150 games.
Grockadoc: Thanks Harland.
Got a bit bored and thought I'd reflect on my SFA career to date. Bit long, but that's just kinda how it worked out.
by Harland Sanders, Jr.
On the eve of his 150th game as a senior SFA player, Fighting Furies veteran and utility Grockadoc has granted us an interview reflecting on his career to date. Joining us for an interview on Furyvision, the one time rfctigerarmy medallist gave an insight into his life as an SFA player.
HSJ: Firstly Grockadoc, thanks for joining us on Furyvision, and congratulations on what will be your 150th game this week against the Royals.
Grockadoc: Thanks Harland. I am pretty humbled to have played as many games as what I have, but a little disappointed I missed a game earlier this year. It would have been a bit poetic to play my 150th against a side that you debuted for, considering I started out at the Demons. It wasn't to be though, so now the Royals are the ones I face in my milestone game, and hopefully I can contribute and the boys can get up. A win would be nice, as well.
HSJ: I am glad you touched on the Demons. You debuted for the Demons in season 10. How did that come about?
Grockadoc: I remember going out for lunch with friends, after filing an application with the SFA to join the league. It wasn’t long until I got a phone call from then Demons captain EBIAC telling me the Demons had picked me up. I honestly couldn't believe it, you know? I entered the club around the same time as one of the Demons guns in cooney, who has become a great player for the club. I managed to play three games as forward and didn’t really live up to the standards I set myself, which impacted on my confidence.
HSJ: Is that why you joined the Furies for season 11?
Grockadoc: Well, not exactly. I was greatful for the Demons for signing me, but even with that gratitude, I just didn’t feel comfortable there. I am not particularly sure why. Perhaps it was because my confidence got dinted after a couple of poor performances. Maybe it was my personality that clashed with some of the other players. It’s one of those things that I look back on and still cannot figure out the source of my happiness. Perhaps I was the problem. Perhaps it was the club that affected me. All I know is that I needed to get out before the problems really started to manifest themselves in others. I didn’t want to be a cancer to club, so to speak.
HSJ: And you ended up becoming a Furies player in the transfer period. Tell us how you ended up as a Fury.
Grockadoc: Well, I had sounded out potential clubs after I realised that I wasn’t happy at the Demons and one of those clubs were the Furies. The Furies leadership group and I had a conversation about where they thought the club would be heading, and where I potentially could fit in. They had a few players who they were looking to upgrade in terms of contributing on and off the field and they thought that I could be a very welcome addition to their club. I had a tour of the club, and met some of the boys, and I just felt like this was where I was supposed to be. It sounds cheesy I know, but I just loved the club from the outset. The boys really took a shine to me, and that made it a lot easier to tell the club that I’d be delighted to join them.
HSJ: And the next thing you know, you had played all but one game and had become a premiership player.
Grockadoc: Yeah, that was a bit of luck and good timing. I knew the club had been tracking upwards over the past few seasons before I joined them, and it turns out they hit their stride as I came along. Rather fortunate. I had played as a bit of a utility, sometimes playing at halfback, or on a forward flank, and I felt that whilst my numbers weren’t huge, that I still had a contribution to the side and helped them reach a fourth premiership in the SFA. And unlike at the Demons, I really felt happy at the club and that for me was absolutely huge. That, I think was the reason my confidence was at its highest it had been for some time and as a result I felt my performances reflected that.
HSJ: After a couple of seasons of being unsettled in regards to playing in one permanent position, you were elected into the Furies leadership group and shifted to the midfield and that seemed to be suited to you. How did you feel about all that?
Grockadoc: I was surprised when they approached me with a role in the leadership group. I thought that, despite being a good clubman that I wasn’t a strong person leadership wise, but they convinced me that it was because of my attitude and work ethic that they wanted me to be a leader. They said they were after someone who led from the front. I gladly accepted but still felt a little inadequate in regards to thinking I wasn’t good enough for the role. Despite that, it is one of the proudest moments of my career to date. I was a little hesitant when Filthy Sanchez offered me the midfield role as well. It meant I had to become a lot fitter and shed some weight and I have lost 13 kilograms since I walked into the club. Given I had played much of my football as a Centre Half Forward, I needed to slim down a little to build my endurance up. I felt the benefits of it almost instantly. I felt more explosive, and stronger throughout my body which really helped me transition into the midfield. I have always prided myself on being a defensively minded player, and that is what I really tried to bring to the side. I felt if I was pressuring the opposition, it made our defenders job that little bit easier and would give us a better chance of winning.
HSJ: And all that effort you put in culminated in you taking home the rfctigerarmy Medal for the Furies Best and Fairest in season 15. That must have been a tremendous honour.
Grockadoc: Absolutely. I never expected to be on a club’s honour board when I started, especially when we had terrific players such as tigland, Filthy Sanchez, the great man rfctigerarmy himself, BILC and Eagleoz83. I was sure Eagle would take it out and was absolutely stunned to hear my name announced as the winner, especially in a successful season for the club. I am just a little disappointed that we didn’t get the win in the Grand Final.
HSJ: If you were disappointed in Season 15 to lose the premiership, Season 16 must have been horrible for the club.
Grockadoc: Yeah, the end of Season 16 was the flattest I had ever felt at the club, and certainly the flattest I had seen the club as a whole. We spent all off season after the loss to the Wonders working harder than we had to try and rectify it and win a fifth premiership. We were all determined to do what we couldn’t in season 15, and we again found ourselves in a position to clinch another flag. We came up against the Gumbies in the Season 16 grand final and felt confident after we flogged them just a couple of weeks previous. We ended up falling agonizingly short of the Gumbies, in what wasthe closest Grand Final margin in SFA history. We ended losing two consecutive grand finals by a total of just 7 points, and the club was distraught. Credit to the others in the leadership group, for getting the boys and the club back up after suffering another letdown.
HSJ: For the past couple of seasons, you have been shifted around again, and have finally been settled in at half back this season. How are you finding it, and do you miss being a permanent midfielder?
Grockadoc: I’ve always prided myself on doing exactly as the captain requested of me. We had a few younger guys coming through such as This Is Anfield, Hate and Wacky Tiger, and it was thought that a midfield role for them would be essential in continuing their development. So I was asked if I minded a move to the half back line and agreed. I’d spent a fair amount of time there previously, so I knew what to expect. All credit to the younger boys on really stepping up in the midfield, too. It just goes to show how deep the talent runs at the Furies. In regards to missing it, I do a little, but for the most part
HSJ: The Furies again have had a productive season, and I am sure you are keen for it to continue.
Grocakdoc: Indeed. There are a few of us floating around who were there for the disappointments in Season 15 and Season 16, and most of us are still looking to atone for the missed opportunities. We feel we have got a really good squad this year and our team is reasonably strong, so we have every reason to be confident we can go deep into finals.
HSJ: And if you do, what will be next for you?
Grockadoc: The answer is going to be the same, whether this year is successful or not. I will be sticking with the Furies again, provided Wacky Tiger and tigland will be happy to have me. My body is still feeling really good and I think I still have something to offer and that I can contribute to the side in a variety of capacities. The first 149 games were just the beginning. Hopefully the next 150 are even better!
HSJ: That’s a sentiment that I agree with, Grockadoc. Thanks for joining us on Furyision, and again congratulations on reaching 150 games.
Grockadoc: Thanks Harland.
Got a bit bored and thought I'd reflect on my SFA career to date. Bit long, but that's just kinda how it worked out.
.
