BUZZING.
It’s been quite the few weeks for Matt Duffy and Rob Monahan, but the overriding feeling is one of excitement.
The new Irish recruits officially touched down in Melbourne yesterday, and it didn’t take long for a trip to their new home. They had a quick kick on IKON Park hours after landing, and were back again today to meet their newest teammates.
There’s plenty in store for their first trip down under, but the highlight is to come next Friday night — when they head to the MCG to take in Carlton’s elimination final against Sydney.
“It’s a bit surreal, a good experience. To see the coaches, the ground, everything — it’s very professional, coming from an amateur background,” Monahan said.
“We’ll get to know Melbourne, get to know the city. We’re going to be at the Sydney game, so we’re looking forward to that at a packed MCG: that’s what it’s all about,” Duffy added.
Monahan conceded that recent weeks have involved getting completely up to speed with the game, although he admitted that it wasn’t a complete unknown before Carlton’s recruiting team headed over last month.
And they’re both glad they’ve got someone to relate to and lean on with everything to come.
“Carlton’s one of the biggest clubs with the joint most premierships, so we’re excited to be coming to such a big team. There are good things ahead,” Monahan said.
“We had two sessions while the boys were over. I suppose they liked what they saw, and they couldn’t pick between the two of us, so they brought us both! We’re absolutely buzzing to be here,” was the response from Duffy.
They already leaned on others for advice before jetting off to the other side of the world — some who they will soon consider as opponents in Adelaide’s Mark Keane, and some they are now able to call a Carlton contemporary.
“We contacted Ciaran Byrne. He’s probably the most recent guy who was successful here in terms of playing games: he was super open with us,” Duffy said.
“He was obviously good friends with Patrick Cripps as well, so hopefully he’s got a soft spot for the Irish lads!”
One thing is for sure: the Carlton family will welcome them with open arms.
And that’s starting from tomorrow, at a huge day at IKON Park for supporters, the AFLW team, the AFL team, Duffy and Monahan collectively.
“We’re going to get started with a few kicks. There’s supposed to be a big crowd tomorrow with a lot of fans,” Monahan said.
“There’s so much support and [social media messages] make it that much easier, knowing they’re happy to have you here. It’s just great.”
