Storm youngster Alec Macdonald is still pinching himself as he prepares for his fifth first-grade game after finding his way into Craig Bellamy’s line-up for the opening month of the season.
“It's been awesome being around all these boys,” Macdonald said before Storm’s trip to Wagga.
“I said after my debut, all the players and the staff made it so easy to just go out there and do my job. So yeah, I've been loving it. It's good.”
Slotting into a team, like Storm, with big names and familiar combinations was always going to be a big task, even for the more experienced player. However, Macdonald has solidified himself a spot on the 17-man starting line-up, saying he’s getting more comfortable each week.
“I think I can say that, I'm just getting used to the combinations and knowing my job more.” Macdonald said.
“All you have really got to do is you don't have to overcomplicate it. The speed of the footy is pretty fast, but I'm getting used to that.
“Just trying to nail my role honestly in all the plays and shapes and stuff like that.”
Alec MacDonald: "All the players and staff made it so easy to just go out there and do my job"
Entering Storm on a train and trial contract last year, Macdonald could have never imagined making his way into the top 30 squad, let alone making his NRL debut within a few months, earning plenty of game time in the process.
“That's what I'm used to in the younger grades, so I'm glad I'm getting a good run and getting some good match fitness out of it,” Macdonald said of his requirement to play big minutes to start the season.
“I think the first few games it shocked me a bit, but I think I'm slowly starting to get used to all of the speed and stuff.”
