Failure to make the cut for the Murray Bushrangers TAC Cup squad has spurred Mooroopna teenager Jason Myrtle to try and elevate his football.
Having played with the Bushies’ under 15 and 16 squads, Myrtle remained hopeful of winning a place on the list, but as history shows he missed out.
Rather than go into his shell, he return to the Cats and after playing in the thirds he has worked his way into the seniors for the match against Shepparton United.
He like all junior players Myrtle says the difference between under 18s and seniors are the obvious things – bigger bodies, quicker movement of the ball, very physical and quarters going for longer.
As a junior product of the Cats excellent set up he progressed through the Auskick program, the under 14s and then a year in the under 16s.
In his last year of under 16s, then coach of the thirds Rob Osborne (twin brother of senior coach Dale) encouraged him to have a crack at thirds football.
“I jumped at the opportunity because I thought it would be a bit of a challenge but also better my footy,” he said.
“I felt I was able to really develop my game, especially against some of the bigger bodies as a 16-year-old as I was.”
While he spent the bulk of his junior days as a ruckman, he has played on the forward flank in the senior team.
“I’ve been pretty happy with my form, but I am striving to get better and better with each game I play.
“The only way I can do that is to challenge myself each time I get a chance.”
His immediate goal is to try and win a place in the Goulburn Valley League inter-league team, having played representative football as a junior.
Last Modified on 27/09/2016 17:25