Getting down and doing the hard yards is just how Mike van Diggelen likes to play his rugby.
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The 21-year-old made an immediate impact after joining Ag College this season and returns from injury looking for more of the same.
‘van Diggelen is back to take on Griffith at Beres Ellwood Oval after injuring his shoulder against Tumut in round two.
Forced to run the water as Aggies brought up its first win of the season against Wagga City, he’s declared his AC joint ready to take on whatever the Blacks can throw at him on Saturday.
“It should be fine,” van Diggelen said.
“It was only a minor one and I’m keen to play.”
Having faced the Blacks in the pre-season, van Diggelen isn’t worried about taking on the bigger bodies.
“We really don’t care about their size,” he said.
“Everyone is writing us off this year as being students and really small, but we have a lot of ticker and are keen to get out there.”
The flanker creates plenty of opportunities at the breakdown for his team, forcing turnovers and making headaches for his opponents.
That was one full display against Leeton to start the season, where we forced five turnovers.
Getting stuck into the breakdown is the where he relishes playing.
“That is my favourite part of the game,” van Diggelen said. “I like to get in there, be a bit of a pest and annoy everyone.
“Pilfering is my thing I guess.”
After 18 months away from the game, to concentrate on his veterinarian studies in order to gain admission to CSU, van Diggelen is loving being back on the field.
“I really missed it and I love playing again,” he said.
“I realised there was a bit of a whole and (rugby) has really filled that for me.
“It has helped me get amongst it up here and get really tight knit with the boys.”
After three years at University of Sydney, van Diggelen believes the bonds Ag College are creating off the field are making them a better team on it.
“Everyone is so tight knit and the boys are all really great and I love playing footy with them,” he said.
“We spend a lot of time together, as most of us are students.
“We train together, studying together and playing together just to top it off.”
The return of van Diggelen is one of two changes made by coach Nick McCarthy.
The 21-year-old replaces second grade captain Matt Harris in the team, while Max Woods comes back in for the suspended Riley Brennan.
McCarthy said van Diggelen’s return is a big plus.
“Mike’s ability at the breakdown will really give us a chance to really attack Griffith,” McCarthy said.
“He also leads around the park well and defends well.”