The happy irony behind forgotten Collingwood big man Nathan Kreuger’s three-goal haul

Nathan Kreuger admits he may have over-celebrated his goals, but after going 407 days without an AFL game and 788 without an AFL goal, the forgotten Collingwood big man can be excused for being excited.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 10: Nathan Kreuger of the Magpies celebrates a goal during the round 13 AFL match between Collingwood Magpies and Melbourne Demons at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on June 10, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images)

Forgotten Collingwood forward Nathan Kreuger says he refused to give up on his AFL dream even when a series of injuries pushed his career to the brink before making a statement-making three-goal King’s Birthday return before almost 85,000 fans at the MCG.

In his first game in 407 days, and kicking his first major in 788 days, Kreuger was one of the Magpies’ shining lights in a comprehensive 38-point victory over a disappointing Melbourne.

The 24-year-old, who has played only 10 AFL games since making his debut with Geelong in 2021, returned to the Magpies’ side on Monday for the first time since round 7 last year in the absence of a host of forward stars.

He kicked two first-half goals before throwing his arms up in the air – part in jubilation and part in relief – after nailing his third major during the Magpies’ powerful final term.

“I probably over-celebrated, to be honest,” Kreuger said of his third goal. “I got caught up in the moment. I was just really excited to be out there playing and doing that role for the team.”

Nathan Kreuger admitted he may have over-celebrated his first-half goals for Collingwood. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

You could hardly blame Kreuger for his exuberance, given where he has come from.

His two-and-a-half seasons with Collingwood have been frustrated by numerous injury issues.

A left shoulder injury wrecked his first season at the club in 2022, then a right shoulder issue curtailed last season before a hamstring injury delayed his start to this year.

But fuelled by a desire to prove he belongs at the top level, and buoyed by the support of his partner Tess, his family, and the Magpies, he was determined to make the most of his opportunity this week when selected at the expense of teammate Ash Johnson.

Kreuger more than fulfilled his end of the bargain and now believes he can play a role as the Magpies head towards the second half of the season once more in flag calculations.

Nathan Kreuger celebrates a goal on King’s Birthday. Picture: Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images.

“I have had a few injury (blows) throughout my career – two shoulders and a hammy in the pre-season, which set me back,” he said. “Hopefully, I (can) just keep pressing along in my role now, I am just so excited to be playing on a day like today as well.”

Asked after the victory if he can go on with it from here, Kreuger said: “I really do. That’s all I have, self belief. I think that’s all you need and that is what I am going to go with – self-belief and the courage to do it.”

“Honestly, I feel like I am a pretty resilient person. It is the people around me who have kept me level.

“My partner (Australian 800m athlete Tess Kirsopp-Cole) is one of the main influences on me to come back and to keep pushing and pushing, and to (encourage me) to just be me.

“My family has played a massive part in where I have come from, and obviously the football club too.

“A lot of guys have been pushing me so hard to get back.”

He reserved some special praise for the black and white army for their support on Monday, yelling ‘KREEUUUGG” every time he went near the ball.

Nathan Kreuger has returned to the Pies side due to injuries ruling out most of the club’s first-choice forwards. Picture: Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images.

“It’s pretty humbling, to be honest,” he said. “I feel like that is what you are chasing all the time. Every goal I kick going forward, hopefully that’s what it is like.

“I just want to keep chasing that feeling.”

Out of contract at the end of this season, he hopes if he can maintain his performances that a new deal will take care of itself.

The irony wasn’t lost on him, or Magpies’ fans so happy to see him back, that one of the club’s most injury-plagued players in recent seasons came to the rescue of a Collingwood team who had so many of their forwards sitting on the sidelines, including Brody Mihocek and Jamie Elliott.

He said Craig McRae and the coaches have given him so much support in getting him back to this stage.

“I am incredibly thankful to him (McRae) for giving me the opportunity to be at this football club and to be a part of the Collingwood family.”

“(The forward line) has been ever changing, we have had a lot of injuries and a lot of guys coming and going. But the message from all the guys involved is to come in and play your role.

“If you can do that, it doesn’t matter who comes in.”

Originally published as The happy irony behind forgotten Collingwood big man Nathan Kreuger’s three-goal haul