Come in to 100 Spina

By ZAC MILBANK

Alex Spina played his first Statewide Super League game at Prospect, the treasured venue where he will also line up in his 100th against Glenelg on Sunday.

But unlike his debut game in Round 1 of 2014, this time North Adelaide’s loyal vice-captain will be proudly sporting the white V on his chest.

Speaking on SANFL Radio, the 24-year-old recalled his strange emotions when he lined up for Adelaide in its history-making first SANFL match at Menzies Crescent.

Then a Crows rookie, Spina spent his first senior season at West Lakes, where he registered 16 games and eight goals.

Upon his delisting at the end of 2014, there was no hesitation in returning to where it all began for Spina in the Roosters’ U13 Development Squad.

Now the club’s joint vice-captain, Spina has forged a reputation as an ultra reliable utility, who often acts as coach Josh Carr’s Mr Fixit.

A PE teacher at Nazareth Catholic College, North’s No.21 is driven by missing out on a premiership medallion after breaking his collarbone in last year’s Preliminary Final.

On Grand Final day in 2018, Spina sat on the interchange bench to play a guiding role with the team’s midfielders as they broke the club’s premiership drought against Norwood.

He felt nothing but elation at the final siren but now he’s chasing the silverware received after playing in a successful title-decider.