Essendon Rising Star nominee Sullivan Robey has spoken of his mindset to take on tacklers at AFL level.
Playing in his fifth game, his willingness to absorb physical contact and find a teammate stood out in a 20-disposal outing.
“I just have confidence to fight through the tackle knowing ‘ve got a bigger body out on the ground and being able to utilise that to my best ability. I have the confidence (to) just really fight and try to get the ball out," Robey said.
Footage of Robey mentoring children at Coach Logic last year further illustrate the way he approaches the contest.
“If your feet are (close together) and someone pushes me, it's too easy to fall over. You make your feet as wide as you can and bend your knees a little bit, you are the strongest you'll ever be," he said.
Robey got regular centre ball-up attendances in the second half of Essendon's loss to GWS on Saturday following Dyson Sharp's injury, going toe-to-toe with the likes of Toby Greene.
Eight disposals in the last quarter kept Essendon in the game until the late stages, with his fitness and poise standing out.
“It's obviously a big role at the top level against some star midfielders like Clayton Oliver and Toby Greene in there as well,” Robey said.
“It was a bit of a challenge but nothing I'm not up to. (Toby's) a fiery little player. We had a bit of a blue in the last quarter, but it's just that mutual respect between a good player and someone I watched growing up a lot and it was nice to go toe to toe against him.
“I had a bit more in the legs (in the last quarter). The opportunity in the midfield as well, I wanted to take that on board and try my hardest. I don't mind where I play, as long as I'm out there playing for the red and black.”
The 192cm phenom has averaged 13 disposals and three tackles in the early stages of his AFL career.
The Rising Star said the match against GWS was an important confidence-booster ahead of a clash with Fremantle at the MCG on Sunday.
“It will be very exciting and I've got total belief we've got an opportunity off the back of last week and the work we put in that it's starting to pan out and we're very, very close so we think we have a great opportunity this week,” Robey said.
