Colts ready to graduate

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By Gary Stocks
A number of colts graduates from the season of 2011 have

made a strong impact over the pre-season and will be pressing for early

opportunities in the seniors in 2012.

Last year’s under-19s captain Kris Hackett and forward Ned

Melvin have probably been the standouts among the younger brigade. They have

both been training since late November when optional sessions began and come

into the season in peak condition.

Hackett won the best and fairest award after an outstanding

season on a wing and was determined to ensure he gave himself the best

opportunity to force his way into the A-Grade team.

After splitting his first season at the club between Subiaco

colts and North Beach, Hackett committed to the Tigers last season with

outstanding results. A captain who led through his actions, he was a central

plank in the teams ascension to the finals.

Unfortunately, despite quiet confidence in the camp, that

campaign ended abruptly at the hands of the polished Collegians outfit, who

produced their best performance of the season on a day when the Beach found its

worst.

The absence of Melvin, who fractured his clavicle late in

the season, certainly did not help.

He, too, had been part of the Subiaco colts program, but

opted to commit to the Beach in the second half of the season and was a crucial

absentee. He stripped for the elimination final in a brave bid to play, but the

coaching staff opted against injecting him into the fray.

Other 2011 colts graduates expected to impact in senior football

this year include forward Adam Miotti, whose 2011 campaign was ruined by a

fractured pelvis, tough midfielder Ryan Antonelli, who has been involved in

some amateur boxing bouts in recent weeks, but is now ready to commit to

football and versatile key position player Chris Mead.

Ruckmen Ben DeRosa and Ross Holdman, wingman Kahlil Campbell,

half-back Ben Sweeney and utility player Mark Langsford have also impressed in

the pre-season.