Youngsters making the big stage their ownIF ever there was a time to make your AFL debut, 2009 is it. Yuendumu man Liam Jurrah's shining start for Melbourne last week continued an amazing trend for Indigenous young men in the big league this season.
Jurrah (pictured) is one of a remarkable 13 AFL debutants from the 82 Indigenous players in the AFL this season.
Since Round 1, the 13 have played a combined total of 55 AFL games. Perhaps the most eye-catching of these have been Fremantle's Stephen Hill, the number No.3 selection at last year's national draft.
The rangy youngster, likened by his coach to a young Michael Long but looking more like a youthful Peter Matera in the way he moves, has won praise, and taggers, since his Round 1 debut. His efforts for the Dockers in Round 6 saw him nominated as that round's Rising Star.
Aside from Hill, the best performed, by numbers alone, is Carlton's Jefferey Garlett, whose six goals from six games gives him an even average of one goal per game. The next most prolific in terms of possessions is Melbourne's Jamie Bennell, who has accumulated 124 at an average of 5.4 per game.
* See the link above: AFL > Players in 2009 for up-to-date players' game totals.
Jurrah, Hill in contention for best goalROUND 12 debutant Liam Jurrah and Stephen Hill are in the running for the AFL's Goal of the Year for their individual efforts over the split round.
The pair join a growing list of Indigenous AFL players in the running for the award.
2009 Goal of the Year nominationsRound 12Liam Jurrah (Melbourne) Spilt mark, then kicked the goal while on the ground
Stephen Hill (Fremantle) Blistering speed, kicking truly from 50 metres
Round 11Lance Franklin (Hawthorn) Clever snap while under intense pressure
Round 10Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn) Clever snap along the ground
Round 6
Danyle Pearce (Port Adelaide) Followed-up and kicked a brilliant snap
Lance Franklin (Hawthorn) Prodigious goal from 55 metres late in the game
Round 4
Andrew Lovett (Essendon) Kicked truly on the run from centre bounce
Round 3
Daniel Motlop (Port Adelaide) Baulked two opponents then goaled
Round 2
Daniel Motlop (Port Adelaide) Evaded 3 opposition players before snapping a goal
* Click this link to view the goals:
Goal of the Year.
DARREN MONCRIEFF
Darren@AboriginalFootball.com.au
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Last Modified on 25/06/2009 21:59