PATIENCE has simply had to become part of Viv Michie’s game.

In his three seasons at Fremantle, injuries interrupted much of his time. But when he was ready for his opportunity, it was tough to crack into a side that played in the Grand Final in 2013. Instead, he won Peel Thunder’s best and fairest award, after averaging 26 disposals in 16 matches that year.

In his one game for Fremantle – his opportunity came against Geelong at the Cattery in round 14, 2013, after he was a late call-up – he was the sub and came on, collecting 13 disposals.

At the end of the season, he was traded by Fremantle to Melbourne, with greater opportunities calling.

Having started 2014 in the red and blue, his year was soon interrupted by a broken jaw. Upon his return, he spent a chunk of the season at Casey, before playing the last four matches of the home and away season with Melbourne.

This year, after playing two NAB Challenge matches, Michie started 2015 in the VFL. He was one of Casey’s best in its practice matches and opening round, but remained on the cusp of selection, being an emergency for rounds two and three.

But after gaining a call-up in round five, Michie quickly showed why he was knocking on the door of selection, winning 19 disposals for the match, after he was subbed on in the second quarter to replace the injured Dean Kent.

Although he again had to be patient for his opportunity, watching on early in the match, he took his chance with both hands and will line-up against his former team on Sunday at the MCG. 

“It’s not much fun being handed the vest at the start of the game,” Michie told melbournefc.com.au, reflecting on last round’s match.

“You have to refocus a little bit in terms of your preparation and getting your head around not starting. I tried to keep my head in the game and keep focused.

“It was pretty upsetting for Kenty to go down with his hammy, but as soon as that happened, I came on and worked myself into the game pretty quickly, so I was happy with what I was able to do, after sitting on the bench for a quarter or so.”

Still, Michie said to be part of a winning Melbourne team for the first time in a home and away fixture was a memorable moment.

“It was really exciting because it was the first win I’d had with the club,” he said.

“To get out there and be part of a great win was really exciting for me.

“I was glad that I could play a reasonable game, so it was nice to be back on the ’G.”

Michie said his hard work over the pre-season and early season form in the VFL had paid off and he was eager to build on last round’s impressive display.

“It’s always a little bit frustrating to not be playing, but I trained hard all summer and I had a couple of NAB Challenge games and wasn’t quite good enough to make the team for the first few weeks,” he said.

“Playing VFL footy, I was pretty focused to play well and do what the coaches wanted me to do, but at the same time, it’s enjoyable playing at Casey at the moment.

“There are a lot of guys playing really well and it’s a vast improvement on last year, so it makes it a lot easier as well. It made it easier for me to focus on my game and play well. Luckily I got rewarded by getting the call-up, so it was good.”