A CLUTCH of Indigenous youngsters provided several highlights in a historical night of football in the football battle-front that is western Sydney.
In what's oft-described as the toughest market in football, one in which the AFL is desperate to carve a niche, the region played host to a round 1 set of pre-season NAB Cup matches at the weekend, featuring AFL newcomers Gold Coast Suns, AFL-team-in-waiting GWS Giants, and the Giants' cross-town 'big brother', Sydney Swans, at the Giants' base, the newly developed Blacktown sporting precinct.
While football fans across large swathes of the country have revelled in the careers of the Materas, Krakouers and, lately, the Jettas and Harbrows, debutants Curtley Hampton (Giants), Isiah Stevens (Giants), Harley Bennell (Suns) and Roland Ah Chee (Suns) gave fans a glimpse of, hopefully, what is to come.
Stevens (pictured), in particular, added to the highlight reel after kicking the Giants' second goal. The six-foot 18-year-old, from north-west WA, took a clever mark before playing on, wrong-footing an opponent, and slotting home the major from across his body.
Brandon Matera, son of WA football great, Wally, and nephew of former AFL stars, Peter and Phil, showed some flashes of brilliance for the Suns, with his cat-like reflexes near goal a glimpse of the excitement -- and danger for opposition teams -- he will provide this year if given the opportunity in the top-flight.
Seasoned AFL players, Jarrod Harbrow and Nathan Krakouer, showed why Gold Coast were keen to secure their services, with the former Bulldog Harbrow superb off the half-back line and Krakouer equally adept on the last line of defence.
Newcomer Harley Bennell, for the Suns, joins cousin Jamie (Melbourne) in the AFL. Bennell showed some class and a cool head in his first match at AFL level on Saturday night.
DARREN MONCRIEFF
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
AboriginalFootball@westnet.com.au
Last Modified on 22/02/2011 11:41