GWS star Tom Scully says he isn’t worried about playing in front of a huge Richmond crowd

WHEN Leon Cameron said the Giants were born to play September finals at the MCG, Tom Scully’s name was surely at the front of his mind.

Tom Scully is ready to take on the Tigers. Picture: Getty Images

WHEN Leon Cameron said the Giants were born to play September finals at the MCG, Tom Scully’s name was surely at the front of GWS coach’s mind.

Not only did he spend the first two years in the AFL running up and down the wings in a Melbourne jumper, he has an aerobic capacity which nobody in the game’s history has been able to match.

His GPS figures confirm his running ability every match when they push past the 18 kilometre mark regularly, it’s a number no other player has been able to get near even the endurance beasts at his own club Lachie Whitfield, Josh Kelly and Dylan Shiel.

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“I think the MCG is a ground that suits our playing style,” Scully said.

“It is a big ground, there’s lots of room to move and it can really showcase how we move the ball and get across the ground. There’s no doubt, obviously the MCG is the best ground in the AFL, the big finals are played there, so it is a ground where you want to play well at.”

Tom Scully is ready for action at the MCG. Picture: Phil Hillyard

While the focus is often on Scully’s endurance there is a sense he would like to get some recognition for his football ability and not just his stamina, after all he was a first-round draft pick and has been on the short list for the All Australian team for the last two years.

“It’s is a big part of my game but I would like to think I can offer a bit more than just running,” Scully said.

“I know I have got a number of roles I have to do for the side, obviously covering a lot of ground offensively and defensively is a big part of my game but I’d like to think I was also contributing tackling, contested ball, hands in close, they’re also things I bring to the side.”

Another attribute the former Demon brings to the table is a thick skin. He more than any of the uncontracted players that were recruited by the Giants and the Suns copped heat from Melbourne supporters for his move.

He will need to block his ears in Saturday afternoon’s preliminary final against Richmond at the MCG when the Tiger Army is in full voice.

“It is going to be a hostile environment but one I think the playing group is going to thrive on,” Scully said.

“You dream of playing in front of a big crowd at the MCG against a powerful Melbourne club, from our point of view we couldn’t have asked for a bigger challenge.”

Scully along with teammates Steve Johnson, Heath Shaw and Callan Ward are the only Giants who have experienced anything like what they will on Saturday against Richmond.

Originally published as GWS star Tom Scully says he isn’t worried about playing in front of a huge Richmond crowd