North Queensland midfielder Rostyn Griffiths says he doesn’t mind taking one for the team.
The 21-year-old will step back into the defensive line for the Fury’s Round 11 Hyundai A-League encounter with Wellington at Dairy Farmers Stadium on Saturday.
Despite having only played ‘bits and pieces’ as a defender during his football career, coach Ian Ferguson called on the youngster to move into the back four last week when the experienced Scott Wilson suffered what appears to be a season-ending knee injury.
Though he is clearly more at home in the midfield, the English-born talent is happy to show his versatility.
“There are things I do like about the position and things I don’t,” Griffiths admitted.
“I don’t like having to focus on where the other player is and always having to think about where I have to be.”
“I know you have to (do that) a little bit in the midfield but more so in defense because if you make a mistake that’s it.”
“But I like being on the ball and dropping deep which suits me.”
The Fury are in talks with a replacement for left back Shane Stefanutto after he succumbed to a knee injury a fortnight ago.
Attempts to have the short-term contract sorted and the player on the park for Saturday night’s Phoenix game have been unsuccessful.
But Ferguson’s more than happy to throw Griffiths in, especially after his efforts in shutting down Mariners goal-scorer Matt Simon last weekend.
“I thought he was fantastic the other day, he did a great job,” Ferguson said of Griffiths.
“He looked as though he should be a centre half, the way he played … Simon had nothing to do after big Rostyn sort of put the shackles on him.”
Griffiths has played in nine of the Fury’s 10 games and started for all of those, but never as a defender.
Though he may have made his own bed by performing out of his skin at Central Coast.
“Sometimes that’s the case … you do too well and keep that position,” Griffiths joked.
“But I don’t think it’ll be a long term thing … I think if we get another player in or someone comes back from injury soon I’ll be swapped back.”
“In the meantime I’m happy to do the job there for as long as it takes.”
