Liam Duggan is the type of character who likes to see the silver lining in the most challenging situation.
That’s why the crafty defender is taking a ‘glass half full’ approach to West Coast’s imminent relocation to a Queensland hub.
The optimistic 23-year-old believed the Eagles potentially had a lot to gain from knuckling down and banking some early wins during their month-long stint on the Gold Coast.
“I think you’ve got to go over with confidence,” Duggan told 6PR’s Sportsday WA program last night.
“Some of the positives (of operating out of the hub) are building that tighter bond and maybe getting a good run of home games at the end of the year as well.
“If we can go over there and make our mark early on the competition, it will give us a full head of steam coming into the back half of the season.”
While some might be anxious about the uncertainty of the year ahead, Duggan appeared to be embracing the unknown.
In fact, he said the unpredictable nature of season 2020 excited him.
“Everything is so unknown at the moment,” Duggan acknowledged.
“But it’s actually a little exciting … the darkness that we’re all going into with games, the new fixture and the floating fixture.
“It’s going to be an interesting finish to the season. That last three or four rounds will have a bit to decide.”
Duggan admitted he was relieved to learn that all of West Coast’s available players would make the journey east for their four-week stay in the sunshine state.
He was also supportive of the AFL’s decision to allow non-selected players to participate in match simulation sessions with clubs based in the same state.
The Western Jets product believed that would spice things up at training, as everyone would be gunning for a chance to face off against either Gold Coast, Brisbane, Port Adelaide or Richmond.
“It will be huge for those boys who aren’t in the senior side to play a game and be competitive against opponents and to put their hand up (for selection),” Duggan said.
“At the end of the day we are all wanting to play in the ‘ones’ and do our best there.
“It will be a great opportunity for the boys to put their hands up and give the coaches something to see if blokes aren’t holding up their end of the bargain in the senior side.”