ELI Templeton will play his first competitive match for 10 months in Saturday’s intra club game at Linen House Centre.
It’s hard to believe the 19-year-old has notched just six AFL games given his almost cult-like following among the Saints faithful.
And fresh off a productive pre-season in which he has put on six kilograms, the clever half-forward is ready to repay the faith shown in him by the coaching staff and supporters.
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“My season got cut short last year and I want to prove that I can play at that level again,” Templeton told SAINTS.com.au.
“My main goal last year was to prove people wrong. Obviously I missed out on the National Draft and was picked up as a rookie, so hopefully I can do that again.”
Templeton was one of the shining lights early last year, booting the winning goal against GWS in round two and playing a pivotal role in St Kilda’s victories versus Melbourne and Essendon.
In the first quarter of the Saints Anzac Day game against Brisbane, Templeton suffered a complicated spiral fracture in his left upper arm. He went into surgery and subsequently developed nerve damage and a fever while recovering, ruling him out for the rest of 2014.
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Yet the elusive forward, who is hoping to push up onto the wing more this year, had shown enough. In September he signed a two-year contract and was elevated to the senior list.
“The contract was just hard work paying off and then the Saints showing faith in me as well,” Templeton said.
“Being on the main list was what I wanted to do and I got there the hard way, but I’m here now and can’t wait for 2015.”
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Having played the majority of last season’s NAB Challenge and the first six home and away games from the forward pocket, Templeton is aiming to push up further afield this year.
“I’ve been training this whole pre-season on the wing, but I want to still provide an option up forward as well,” he said.
“It’s my first game in almost a year. Obviously I will have some nerves, especially with the contact side of things. There is nothing to worry about; I have a big plate in there and a few screws. I can’t wait. It’s been a long time coming.”
Check back to SAINTS.com.au on Friday for Saturday's full squad announcement.
