Roosters captain Max Thring finally reaches 100-game milestone

NORTH Adelaide skipper Max Thring, thriving in his first season leading the club, will reach a milestone in the battle against Glenelg at the Bay.

Max Thring will make his 100th league appearance. Picture: Deb Curtis

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NORTH Adelaide captain Max Thring is too focused on his club’s resurrection to have too many thoughts on his 100th league appearance in the clash against Glenelg at the Bay on Monday.

While he claims it is a privilege to reach the century milestone with the Roosters, he said there are so many more things to worry about with the season just reaching half way.

“Right now it does not mean much,” Thring said. “I’ll look back when I’ve hung up the boots and have good thoughts, right now I’m not thinking about it.”

The three figures have been a long time coming for Thring since making his debut against Sturt, the club where he played his junior football, in 2011. Mostly it has been hamstring problems which stalled his career, although there was a nasty ankle problem and a torn pectoral muscle in 2014 which cost him plenty of game time.

A hamstring injury cost him a spot in the team for the 2013 grand final as well as the state game against the WAFL last month.

North Adelaide skipper Max Thring flies for a mark over Crow Kyle Cheney. picture CALUM ROBERTSON

The Roosters have not qualified for the finals since losing that premiership decider to Norwood and they won just nine games in the past three years.

They have already won six of their eight games this season and a win over the Tigers can put them back on top of the premiership ladder.

It is also Thring’s first season as captain and he has thrived in the role, leading from the front with his typical desperate, competitive approach.

“This is the first year I wanted the captaincy,” he said. “I’d been vice-captain for three years so I thought I was ready and it would benefit me having the added responsibility.

“I’m not surprised by our form, it has been a long time coming. (Coach) Josh (Carr) had a three-year plan. When he took over we were not a good side and we have slowly been progressing into what we are now, playing a somewhat consistent brand of footy.

“We were very disappointed with that terrible game against South Adelaide and for us to bounce back like that with the good win at Port Adelaide, I was very happy with the group.

“A lot of sides lose here and there, but it is how you respond.”

As for the small Glenelg ground, Thring jokes it helps his hamstrings.

SANFL ROUND 10

MONDAY

Glenelg v North Adelaide

Gliderol Stadium, Glenelg, 2.10pm. Radio 1079 Life

Sturt v South Adelaide

Peter Motley Oval, Unley, 2.10pm