HE has never missed finals in any grade during his football career and he was part of a club which won both the League and Reserves Premierships in 2018.
Now Matt Appleton is hoping he’ll be the good luck charm Port Adelaide might need to win its first SANFL flag in 20 years.
Appleton played 15 games for North Adelaide’s league side before winning the Reserves premiership as his Roosters teammates achieved senior grade success.
The 26-year-old – who previously played for Woodville-West Torrens - has played nine league games this season after crossing to Port Adelaide and is hoping to play his part in a drought breaking premiership for the Magpies.
“Everyone’s pretty excited. The boys have gelled really well this year,” Appleton told portadelaidefc.com.au about the combination of AFL and SANFL-listed players.
“Walking into the club, there’s a real buzz around the place and everyone is just really focussed on winning the flag.
“Growing up you knew that Port Adelaide Football Club is all about success.
“The culture here is something special and I think everyone was pretty focussed on playing finals and I think we have a great chance to go all the way.”
Appleton has known a lot of success in his career.
He was the Alan Stewart Medallist as best afield in the 2012 Under 18 Grand Final, playing for Woodville-West Torrens, and was also part of the Eagles’ 2014 Reserves premiership side.
In 2015, he was named a joint winner, with Norwood’s Dylan Reinbrecht, of the Reserves Magarey Medal, after each polled 16 votes.
Admittedly opportunities have been limited for the midfielder in 2019 given Port Adelaide’s available AFL-listed talent but with different rules for the finals series – including a minimum of four SANFL-listed players per game – Appleton is hoping to help the team when it counts.
“I think I’ve got a pretty good shot. When I’ve come up, I’ve played my role well and had some good games,” he said.
“If I get picked, I’m just going to have a crack. It’s the same for all of the SANFL contracted boys- everyone’s in some good form at their local clubs and everyone’s ready to rock and roll.
“Everyone’s adapted really well and (coach Matthew Lokan) Lokes and (SANFL manager Shane Grimm) Grimmy have been really good in making sure we’re doing as much together as possible so we’ve got a good core group this year.”
And while he’s hoping his experience of playing finals will help, Appleton is sure the close-nit side will challenge all before it, starting with Saturday night’s Qualifying Final against Adelaide.
“I have never missed finals in my life actually, every grade I’ve played I’ve played finals,” he explained.
“I don’t think anyone is leaning on me in particular but when it comes down to it the experience will help personally.
“Obviously, the boys want to play at the highest level possible – and for those AFL contracted boys obviously that’s in the AFL – but it hasn’t changed the focus around the group that we want to win a flag for this club.
“I think we’re on something special this year and it’s pretty exciting really. If we can keep stringing together the kind of football we played, even on the weekend, and playing four quarters of footy, then we’ll definitely give it a shake.”
