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.
