Soon after Alex Morgan left training at Arden Street on Thursday night, he tried to contact his parents who were half a world away on vacation in Italy.
The 22-year-old had just been told by coach Brad Scott that he’d be making his long awaited AFL debut on Sunday, and desperately wanted to tell his parents first, before the news spread.
But much to his disappointment, his phone call to Tuscany went unanswered.
“I tried to get onto them as soon as I left. I didn’t want to tell anyone at the club before them, but there was no reply,” Morgan explained.
“They eventually called me back when I was in the supermarket with Ed Vickers-Willis. They FaceTimed me. They were both on the screen at the same time so I think they knew something was up.
“They ring me more than I call them, especially when they’re away on holidays so they must have thought I had some news for them.”
Sharon and Clyde Morgan’s reaction was more than their youngest boy had anticipated.
“They were thrilled,” Morgan said.
“They told me they’d jump on the next flight home which I didn’t expect. They were due home on Wednesday but are now going to cut their trip short to be at Etihad.
“I felt a bit bad and only agreed on the condition that wasn’t too much of an inconvenience for them but I don’t think they would have changed their minds.
“I’d like to think everyone’s parents would do it. It’s pretty cool to know I have parents like that.”
Morgan’s parents weren’t the only ones to have their travel plans thrown into disarray. His older brother, Mason, was due to fly to Bali on Sunday morning, but is also trying to change his flights.
“My other brother Mitchell is coming to the game and Mason will do his best to be there,” Morgan said.
“I know if I was in the same situation, I’d be doing everything I could to be there for them too but I’m blown away by the effort they’re all putting in to support me.”
It’s been a whirlwind few days for the former Bomber, who was initially drafted in 2015.
Passing on the news of his debut to his family was dramatic, but receiving it was also unusual.
“At main training the coaches threw me a blue top; normally if you’re in the VFL it’s orange,” Morgan explained.
“I wasn’t sure what it meant to be honest. Sometimes VFL guys switch sides for training so I wasn’t reading too much into it.
“After training Josh Drummond (assistant coach) found me in the physio room and asked me to come upstairs. He took me in to see Brad Scott who said a spot had opened up for me in the senior side.
“It was more exciting than anything … that’s what I’d been waiting to hear all year. I’ve waited longer than the club or myself had anticipated, but I suppose it makes it more worthwhile.”
Being selected for a crunch game against the Swans only adding to Morgan’s belief I himself.
“Sydney will be a tough game,” he said.
“But it gives me more confidence because I have the coaches' confidence. I’m humbled that they have the faith in me because it’s a massive game for the club.
“This is the reason I came to North at the end of last season, to get this opportunity and I’ll be doing everything I can to make the most of it.”
