VFL 2019: young Sandringham forward Durras Seccull kicks four goals on debut

Durras Seccull was one of the last players signed by Sandringham for the 2019 VFL season. But he was called up for a surprise debut in Round 3 and slotted four goals in a crucial win for the Zebras.

A proud Barbara Seccull with her grandsons Brede and Durras (right).

The way Sandringham captain Brede Seccull tells it, his brother Durras has always showed ability but taken a decidedly laid-back approach to his football.

He laughingly describes him as a “bit of a larrikin’’.

Still, Durras acted on Brede’s encouragement to train at Sandringham ahead of the 2019 VFL season.

BREDE SECCULL TO CAPTAIN SANDRINGHAM

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They both figured that if he didn’t make the list he would at least go back to VAFA club Old Haileybury a fitter and stronger player.

Durras did make the list, one of the last signed.

And last Sunday he was promoted for his VFL debut, kicking off with four goals as Sandy gained an important win over Williamstown at the Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Oval.

It was a surprising selection.

Two weeks before the season, Brede — heartened that Durras had slotted four goals against Port Melbourne in a practice match — said he hoped his brother, 196cm, would play as the 23rd man “at some stage’’.

His VFL call-up came after returns of three and four goals for Old Haileybury, but, more significantly, a push-up from experienced Zebra Sam Gilbert, who backed him to take a mark and at least provide a contest in attack.

Durras Seccull (left) celebrates one of his four goals for the Zebras.

The Sandy coaches believed they had lacked such a player in the first two rounds.

Four goals on debut against a formidable defensive unit?

Zebras CEO David Cannizzo called it a “nice surprise’’ and timely too, noting another loss would have had Sandringham 0-3.

“Yeah, it was definitely a lot quicker than I expected,’’ Seccull, 20, said of his call-up.

“At the start of the year I was just hoping to play at least one game with Brede. I’m glad I can tick it off so early.’’

The business and marketing student said the pace of the VFL was “so much quicker’’ than he was used to.

“You’ve got to be willing to run and be ready to have an impact,’’ Seccull said.

“I was lucky to get on the end of a few (marks).’’

He also got a “Joe the Goose’’ over the top for one of his four goals. “You have to take them when they come,’’ he said with a chuckle. “It would be rude not to.’’

Seccull admitted pre-season training tested him to the point he almost quit.

“I definitely struggled. At times I had some pretty dark thoughts. You’re happy with it now that you’re playing and you feel so much fitter and stronger. There were a few days down at Dendy Park with the 3km runs where I was pretty close to pulling the pin,’’ he said. “Glad I didn’t.’’

Asked about brother Brede’s assessment that he hadn’t taken his football too seriously in the past, he responded: “Yeah, he’s hit the nail on the head with that one. It was one of those things where I always played footy and it was just a bit of fun. But then I thought I’d hate to die wondering, so why not give it a crack. I’ve absolutely loved the past few months.’’

He said it was a “pretty special moment’’ when coach Aaron Hamill told him last Thursday in front of the other Sandy players that he would be making his debut.

The Seccull name is royalty at Haileybury. Darren Seccull, the father of Brede and Durras, captained and coached the club and his brother Mark is considered one of the Bloods’ greatest players.

Unfortunately Darren and Megan Seccull could not be at the match. They were in Queensland, but tuned in to the Casey Radio coverage.

Mark was at the ground and so was Barbara Seccull, who after the game slipped in to the rooms for a photograph with her grandsons, one Sandy’s skipper, the other a fast-rising forward.