CHARLIE Spargo had no idea he was in the mix for this Sunday’s clash against Essendon at Etihad Stadium – until late Thursday afternoon.

And even then, he wasn’t sure what Simon Goodwin wanted, when the coach texted the first-year Demon and asked to see him in the football department at AAMI Park.

“I thought Goody had probably told everyone whether they were playing or not and I didn’t really expect anything,” he told Melbourne Media.

“I was in the spa and then I got out and I had a text from him and it said ‘can you come and see me’. So, I said ‘yes, I’ll be up in five [minutes]’.

“He sat me down on the couch and he asked me about a couple of weeks ago, when I got reported, how I responded and how I thought I played after my first match back from suspension.

“I thought it was just going to be a chat about that, and then he said ‘I really like your aggression, so I want you to keep bringing that and bring it into the game on the weekend’.

“I was honestly not expecting it – it was the last thing I was expecting, so I was bloody rapt.”

Melbourne’s first selection in last year’s NAB AFL Draft – taken at pick No.29 overall – Spargo is a small, crumbing forward, who applies great pressure and plays with aggression.

Although he has been progressing strongly since his arrival, he wasn’t quite sure where he sat.

“They give you feedback, but you’re still not sure,” he said.

“It was frustrating missing a game in the VFL the other week, through suspension, but I came back and played a solid – not amazing – game, which I was pretty happy with.”

Spargo said he called his dad, Paul – the former North Melbourne and Brisbane Bears player – firstly, to tell him the good news, and to confirm that he would make the trek from Albury to watch him play.

“He was pretty happy for me and then he text my Mum,” he said.

“I called my brother and sister as well.

“They call Albury ‘Smallbury’, so I’m sure everyone will know.”

Spargo said his Mum and Dad were going to watch him play in the VFL this weekend, anyway.

“They’ll now have to stay the night and watch me on Sunday,” he said.

“They’ll probably stay with the hosties (host family).”

So how will the youngster feel on Sunday morning, before the 1:10pm match?

“I usually get a little bit nervous, but I think it’ll be a whole new level,” he said.

“I’ll be pretty nervous, but I’ll just have a crack.

“If I just run hard and play in the team structure, I’m sure I’ll go all right.”