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Carlton and South Australian match-winners are pretty much synonymous, and now we can add another name to that hallowed list. Sure, it was only one game that was won (one of many we hope), but Darren Pfeiffer’s over-the-shoulder snap deep into our Round 9 win against Freo was enough to book Darren in for a Mike and Dan’s Play of the Week, an honour that even greats like Bradley and Kernahan cannot boast. Mike and Dan sat down with Darren to re-live the goal, the win, and the season to-date with this new member of the Carlton crow-eater club.
 
Q. Talk us through the goal… you had a pretty experienced player on you in Heath Black. When the ball floated your way, what was going through your mind and did you have an idea of how you would beat Black and score?

Yeah, I was pretty excited after it went through! Because I’m used in the rotations through the middle and up-forward, I always try and hit the ball and the man hard when I get on the field. So when the ball came toward me I ran pretty hard to get to the ball before Black. I knew there was a bit of space in-behind Fev and that there wasn’t really anyone near to set-it-up to, so I thought I’d have a crack and it went in.

Q. Do you practice those or was it a one in a million? Have you tried it again in training?

*laughs* Nah look there was a bit of luck involved. Every now and then at the end of training I try a couple like that, but I think if I tried that 100 times my conversion rate wouldn’t be as good!

Q. When you get near the goals are you given license just to have a shot?

Ratts does tell us to be exciting and to take some risks. We’re a young team and he’s eager for us to back ourselves. Obviously the team-rule is to create an opportunity for a teammate, but that’s not always the best option, like with the goal on Saturday. Ratts basically says that if you think you can score, back yourself for the goal. Look at guys like Eddie (Betts), I’m always happy to see him have a shot, and with his skills why not! And Fev has a licence to take shots from outside 50 because he’s brilliant from that range.

Q. How late did you know you were going to play? That morning?

Pretty much, but I had a feeling I might be in-line for a recall earlier in the week. Bret (Thornton) trained on Friday but I knew he may not be right for Saturday, so I had been setting myself for the game. Not that I was wishing any bad luck to Bret!

Ratts told me early on in the week that I would be basically at the top of the queue to come in if there was a change so I set myself for the seniors game.

Q. You were interviewed after the game on Channel 10. Was that your first TV interview? Was it more nerve-wracking than your first interview with Mike and Dan?

A little more nerve-wracking to be honest! It was the second time I’ve been interviewed on TV, but the first was on draft day when I was picked by Adelaide before any media training etc, so I was keen to show the guys the skills that we pick-up in media training. To be honest I was concentrating pretty hard on saying the right things and not saying the things I shouldn’t! I was pretty excited after the win so I was focussing pretty hard on not swearing actually! So the media training definitely paid off.

Mike and Dan might be proud that Darren was composed in-front of the camera but a bit $#!@ed off that we’re not considered as nerve-worthy as Christi Malthouse and channel 10!

Q. When you lead all day then fall behind towards the end do you panic, or just re-apply yourself? Who speaks up on the field to direct the team?

We basically applied ourselves to the task and did the team things right. Young guys like Shaun Grigg really pulled out blinders in the last quarter, and we’re a pretty young team so we just try and do our bit basically. We had spoken about Freo’s last quarters not being the best, so we were confident that if we worked hard and if everyone did their bit we could get back in front. That’s really a credit to the group I guess.

Q. When Mike and Dan interviewed you in the pre-season you were training with the defenders and you mentioned you were keen to start there and then move onto the ball. In the seniors we’ve seen you play mostly wing or half-forward. 3 months on where do you see yourself in the seniors set-up?

I started on Heath Black on half-back and basically followed him when he went into defence, and then ended up up-forward and in a position to kick that goal. At the moment we have a really good midfield at Carlton, and the midfield is only going to keep growing so I’m pretty keen to keep getting opportunities there but also in as many positions as I can. The more positions I can add to my weaponry the more options the match-committee will have to pick me. At the moment I’m trying to grow my versatility and get a game where I’m needed.

Q. There have been some brilliant South Australians at the club over the years, and its good to see a few young SA players making their mark in the seniors. Are you all mates off the park? Do you ever head over to Jordan Russell or Bryce Gibbs’ place for a Pie floater?

*laughs* I never got into the Pie-floaters to be honest. Jordy’s great and I try and get around to his place to hang out whenever possible. Bryce is good value as well but he lives a little further out from the city so I don’t get over there as often. You know, even when we head back to Adelaide – as much as its good to catch up with my friends from back home – I try and spend time with the Adelaide guys at the club because we are pretty good mates. But the Melbourne guys are good value as well and have helped a lot with settling in.

Q. So finally, our obligatory “tell us a team-mate’s secret” question. In our last interview you missed your opportunity to pot one of your teammates because you were too new to the squad. Are you comfortable enough yet to have a crack at someone?

Ha, nah look I don’t think its time to be potting teammates after kicking the match-winning goal. It could backfire on me and the guys would think I’m getting ahead of myself! I’ll have to get back to you again on this one.

Thanks Darren, and great to see the young SA kids (and the other states for that matter!) going well in the firsts. And after that goal, well, it was pie-floaters all round at Mike and Dan HQ.