By Matthew Galea
PDFL
Rare sighting: David Teague was delighted to pull the Katandra jersey on once again.
Even AFL veterans with 80-plus games under their belt get nervous before games. Just ask David Teague.
The St Kilda defensive coach, 33, turned out for his home-side Katandra on Saturday to help celebrate brother Gregor’s 200th senior game for the club.
Named at full-back for the Kats’ in their 53-point win against Shepparton East in the latest round of Picola District Football League south-east action, Teague admitted to some nerves.
‘‘I mentioned to Gregor I might come up and play for his 200th and I was umming and ahhing through the whole thing, but I’m very glad I did,’’ Teague said.
‘‘It was an honour to run out with him for the game.’’ Teague’s nerves settled pretty quickly once Katandra’s game got
into swing. ‘‘I came back a few years ago and ended up playing some finals, but this was much better footy than what
we played four years ago,’’ Teague said.
‘‘The brand they were playing was great. They ran well and backed themselves.
‘‘The mood around the club was great, which was really exciting because it’s not been great reading the scorelines of the home-town club and seen them struggle.’’
Those days are seemingly behind the Kats with the return of ex-juniors such as Luke Minogue and Dan O’Reilly, and Teague said it was great to see the club’s revival come on the back of such youths. ‘‘For the resurgence to come from
those guys has been great,’’ Teague said.
‘‘They’ve picked up some other good guys, Pat Frappell as well, but to see the younger guys come backs shows the club is heading in the right direction.’’
It was Teague’s first time back in town since he last played for the club in 2010, but he said it was always a pleasure returning to local footy. ‘‘I love it. I’ve got very fond memories of growing up playing there and wearing that jumper,’’ Teague said.
‘‘Just doing the warm ups and seeing all the familiar faces, I love the way footy and netball brings everyone together.’’
Teague said he was enjoying life at St Kilda, after making the switch from West Coast in November.
‘‘I enjoyed my time at West Coast, but it’s nice to be back in Victoria,’’ Teague said.
‘‘They’ve got some good experience and some good young guys who will have a few tough challenges over the years, but that’s how they’ll grow.
Last Modified on 17/06/2014 19:06