MATT Spangher is confident the injuries that hampered him earlier in the season are behind him, after getting through his first AFL match this season unscathed on Friday night.
The premiership defender made his AFL return in the Hawks’ thrilling 10-point win against Collingwood, and said he was purely focused on playing his role.
It was his first game since last year’s AFL grand final, and came on the back of three consecutive games for VFL affiliate Box Hill Hawks.
Spangher, 28, overcame an ankle injury from his most recent VFL appearance and was a like-for-like replacement for fellow key defender James Frawley in the Hawks’ side.
“That little niggle I had with my ankle was fine,” he said.
“It was good to have a win, but really for me it was about filling a role, the same as I normally do.
“With Chippa (Frawley) obviously out, I needed to come back and play that second or third tall role.”
Spangher was matched up predominantly on Magpies debutant Darcy Moore – and also spent time on power forward Travis Cloke – collecting 11 disposals and four marks in three quarters of game time.
He said he had no trouble slotting back into the Hawks’ back six.
“It was a little bit (different) but the best thing is the structures don’t change, even from VFL to AFL for us,” he said.
“We’re trying to implement the same sort of things, the style of play isn’t any different, but there’s that little bit of synergy stuff playing with boys you haven’t played with all year, but apart from that nothing changes.”
Spangher was subbed out at three quarter time, when his opponent Moore was handed Collingwood’s red vest.
He said he was pleased with his performance, but had plenty of room to improve.
“I was happy without being completely satisfied,” Spangher said.
“Personally I still think there’s lots I can improve on from the game.
“But I suppose that’s the best part – you don’t want to come in and have nothing to work on, it’s impossible really.
“I’ll just be looking to build from here.”
