Tyson Goldsack opens up on his fight to get back in Collingwood’s senior side and what his year in the VFL has been like

They’ve got 446 games and five premierships between them. But what happened when Tyson Goldsack and Jarryd Roughead met on the VFL field? Goldy opens up on their post-match chat and his fight to get back in the seniors.

Tyson Goldsack is desperate to get back into the Collingwood seniors. Picture: David Caird

Let’s not shy away from the fact that I’m yet to play an AFL game this season, but I can tell you it hasn’t been through a lack of effort or desire.

I’ve played seven VFL games this year and will play my eighth on Sunday — in the backline — against Port Melbourne.

This is not the first time I’ve had an extended period in the VFL. But when there is potentially so much on the line later this season, and being on the wrong side of 30 (in the football world), you want to make every week count.

Look, it’s not all bad.

I’ve been playing in the forward line this year, but as luck would have it, I lined up down back last week which brought me in the general vicinity of Hawthorn’s Jarryd Roughead, who was playing for Box Hill.

We didn’t play directly on each other, but we were in a number of contests together, which had us both thinking of the current situation.

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I even got to enjoy a quick after-game beer with “Rough” and some of the Box Hill Hawks in the function room under the stands at Victoria Park, complete with the old football smells and honour boards on the walls!

Having a drink with teammates and the opposition just an hour or so after a game was a bit of a blast from the past.

It brought back memories of being back at Pakenham in my younger years, after my brother, Jared, had finished playing his game in the seniors for the Lions, in which I was the waterboy! It makes you wonder what AFL/VFL footy was really like when you were a kid.

Tyson Goldsack chats to Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley at training. Picture: AAP Images

I dare say Roughy wouldn’t mind me mentioning it, but being able to share a moment with a guy who is in a similar position to me — out of the senior team but desperately trying to get back in — was interesting.

We only had one beer, mind you, but it was well-earnt and thoroughly enjoyed.

We’re both from Gippsland Power, and while we never got the chance to play together, I’ve always admired what he has been able to achieve on and off the field.

I won’t kid you. It’s tough being out of the side, trying to get back into the ones, but at the same time it was good to talk to someone in a similar situation.

There is a wide range of characters running out for the VFL sides each week — players who have a lot of AFL experience but who have gone back in grade; some who have tasted it and want more; guys pushing their case to make their AFL debut; and the rest of the VFL team, most of who are trying to get on an AFL list.

I’m just as hungry to play AFL football as I’ve ever been — if not more.

The hardest part of playing consistent VFL football is staying mentally upbeat and committed to the cause when things aren’t going your way.

Jarryd Roughead and Tyson Goldsack have squared off plenty of times in the AFL. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

How do you maintain the rage to front up to training (sometimes at different hours to usual), sit through all the meetings (AFL and VFL ones) and perform at your optimum level when it comes to game day?

The natural motivation you get when playing at the elite level is always more difficult to find when you are playing at VFL level.

So tapping into a way to manufacture a high motivation level is paramount, while at times a little draining. But you have to push through that mindset.

I focus on what is to come. I focus on trying to help out those young players around me and on seeing this as a stepping stone to playing AFL again.

If I don’t perform, I’m going to find myself at VFL level for the whole season, which isn’t my intention.

I really enjoy the coaching aspects of footy and sharing my experience with the young players. Helping develop their game gives me a certain satisfaction.

As a 32-year-old, my challenge has also been to find additional ways to work on my fitness, while still staying fresh enough to perform on the weekend.

Tyson Goldsack has been playing as a forward in the VFL. Picture: Getty Images

I like boxing to achieve a greater fitness base, it’s good cardio, without taxing the legs too much.

Thankfully, we have an awesome boxing coach and great man in Mick Dugina down at Collingwood, who takes the pads and works me over.

We have a couple of boxing sessions per week. I’m always chasing blokes to jump into the ring and do some sparring with, as it is a good change-up from hitting pads. Mind you, “Pendles” has seemed to shy away from me since I have increased my sessions. What’s with that Pendles, if you happen to be reading this?

I’m not the first person to be in this position and I won’t be the last. There is competition for spots at every club — there are 46 guys on a list and only 22 of them can play in the AFL side each week — and it’s no different at Collingwood.

Tyson Goldsack’s last senior game was the 2018 Grand Final. Picture: Phil Hillyard

My body feels good after a slowish start with a shoulder issue, but as the year has gone on, it seems to be holding up really well.

That gives me full confidence that if I am called upon, I will be absolutely ready to go.

I’ve trained and played as a forward since the start of pre-season and that’s been my role in the first part of the year.

But as we know football can change pretty rapidly and I found myself back as a defender last weekend, which I am not complaining about.

I’ve been named in defence Sunday, too.

So that’s my next chance to push my case for AFL selection.

Wish me luck!

Originally published as Tyson Goldsack opens up on his fight to get back in Collingwood’s senior side and what his year in the VFL has been like