By ZAC MILBANK
If Patrick Wilson had his way initially, he would have been lining up in his 100th Hostplus SANFL League game for Woodville-West Torrens this weekend.
Growing up in the western suburbs, the star Sturt midfielder was an avid Eagles fan who revelled in the club’s 2006 premiership while playing for Woodville South locally.
Speaking on SANFL Radio, the 28-year-old revealed he was unable to make the cut when trialling for the Eagles’ junior grades, causing him to have a go at Unley.
And after initially missing out with the Double Blues, Wilson eventually made his U18 debut with the club in 2011, sparking a love for Sturt which gained more strength after he featured in the 2017 League premiership.
The damaging midfielder made his League debut in 2014 before taking the 2015 season off football to address his mental health, paying tribute to his coaches in Seamus Maloney, Martin Mattner and club stalwart Nick Swingler.
It was the best move Wilson could make as he revelled in his comeback, playing in the memorable one-point 2017 premiership win against Port Adelaide after making the move from defence into the centre square.
He then spent the next three seasons on Adelaide’s AFL list, where he played 37 SANFL games for the Crows in 2018 and 2019 before embracing the Covid bubble in 2020 while also lining up for rivals Port Adelaide and Hawthorn in unofficial practice matches.
With his persistent shoulder issues behind him, Wilson is eager to continue playing a key role in Sturt’s sensational start to the season.
His milestone match looms as a blockbuster against Glenelg at Stratarama Stadium, with a huge crowd tipped to roll through the gates to witness the top-of-the-table clash on the King’s Birthday Holiday Monday.