Friday 27 August 2010
Tomorrow’s elimination final against Mt Gravatt marks the beginning of the Territory Thunder’s assault on QAFL glory, but for defender Cameron Roberts it could spell the end of his 15-year football career spanning three states.
The 31-year-old former Geelong Cats player has missed a third of this season through injury, but Roberts says the mind contradicts how his body is feeling.
“You get to my age, nearly 32, and you start to think about the end,” he told the NT News’ Jess Webster.
“The mind still thinks I can do things its just a matter of whether the body can keep going.
“But I’m looking forward to a big rest once the season is finished and then I won’t make a decision on whether I go on or not until post-Christmas, and see how the motivation is and how the body feels.”
After re-injuring his quad in a best-on-ground performance in Thunder’s thrilling 10-point win over Labrador at Gardens Oval in Round 17, Roberts had limited time on the ground against Broadbeach last week.
But he is here for the important time of the year and is fit to play against the Vultures at Giffin Park, Coorparoo tomorrow.
While there are no doubts on his right quad this time, questions still remain about Thunder’s ability to perform on the road.
“I guess its been the question most of the year, weve only won the one game away but the positive note on that, the team that we did beat was Mt Gravatt,” Roberts said.
“Finals are a different sort-of ball game. Really what happens throughout the year is irrelevant to a certain extent.
“But I guess our last two games we’ve taken confidence going into this week’s game.
“Really we’ve got nothing to lose, we’ve made history making the finals for the first time in our second year (in the QAFL) and our thought is about going as far as we can in the finals.
“The boys are filled with excitement.”
And it is the excitement of being part of a growing club that urges Roberts to continue pulling on the boots beyond this year.
“The enjoyment factor of playing with blokes like Zephi Skinner, Bradley Palipuaminni, Dion Munkara and all these young kids gives you an extra bounce in your step and a bit of extra life,” he said.
“For that reason alone I enjoy playing.
“It’s not so much about my individual performanc, its about helping those guys and watching them flourish into good players.
“So that’s where the enjoyment more so lies now at this point of my career.”
