Senior sporting debuts are always pretty special, but it was an even more of a memorable one for Rupertswood’s Sean Crawford.
Crawford, who played his junior football at the Sharks, was one of two debutants for the Sharks alongside Brock Landt, in the Sharks big win over Rockbank.
A senior debut was the last thing Crawford was thinking of two years ago. In February 2016, he was diagnosed with stage four Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Remarkably, Crawford managed to play in a third straight under-18 premiership with the Sharks that year, before being given the all clear weeks later.
While he wasn’t able to play most of the matches that year, he was at nearly every training session and took on match day roles.
After being given the all clear , Crawford said he was looking forward to trying and making his way through the ranks at the Sharks.
On Saturday he made the final step, making his senior debut for the Sharks.
Crawford said he wasn’t expecting to make his senior debut so soon.
He said there had been overwhelming support from everyone, and he had received plenty of text messages congratulating him.
“I got a message from one of the leadership group [saying I was selected] on the Thursday night, as I couldn’t stay for the selection dinner,” he said.
“It was a big shock.
“We normally split off into the seniors, reserves and under-18s at training and I wasn’t training with the seniors.”
“It was really fun and a great experience with the senior players. I’m really proud and happy to play with the senior boys, I didn’t think it would be so soon.”
Crawford, who played down back in the win against the Rams, said he thought he played alright.
He said he was hopeful of staying in the senior side.
The debut comes after a frustrating 2017 which was ruined by an ankle injury.
“I did a lot of work after the 18s final and did a full preseason getting back into the things,” he said.
“It was pretty frustrating, as I’d done the whole preseason and right before round one, I hurt my ankle at training.
“I kept trying to come back.”
Sharks coach Nick Ash said they had no option but to select Crawford in the senior team.
“He put in the hard yards over the preseason,” he said.
“He started to build up good group of games in the reserves. It got to the stage we couldn’t not pick him.”
Ash said the moment was just a big one for Crawford, but one for the club as well.
“It was massive and a really good jumper presentation.
“Rob Morrice, who was president of the club for 10 years presented him with the jumper, it was a really touching moment.
“It’s not only about football, but the celebration of life. You can come back from adversity.”
