UP until last year, cricket occupied all Mason Crozier’s sporting energy.
And, with good cause. Crozier’s talent as a fast bowler had taken him to play District Second XI with Ringwood and on to the Bushrangers’ junior academy.
After playing Under 16s, Crozier quit football to concentrate on cricket. It wasn’t until several of his school friends pleaded with him last year that he resumed playing football.
Following a season with Scoresby Under 18s, Eastern Ranges Regional Manager Anthony Parkin contacted Crozier and floated the idea of him joining the club as one of its 19-year-old players.
With younger brother Hayden making the Ranges list, Mason Crozier decided to put his cricket on the back burner while he gave football a crack.
A back injury, a carry over from cricket, meant that Crozier wasn’t afforded a pre-season. With just three weeks remaining before the start of the season, Crozier endured a pre-season on the run, so to speak.
Despite such a backdrop, Crozier was selected for the Ranges’ season opener against Oakleigh Chargers. It provided him with an immediate and telling insight of what was required.
“My first impression was that the speed of the game was unbelievable compared to playing for Scoresby,” Crozier said.
“It took me a while to get used to it, but I’m slowly getting the hang of it.”
Indeed. Crozier has progressed each week, gaining greater confidence and in turn making a greater impact.
After starting the season in attack, Ranges coach Darren Bewick switched Crozier to defence with significant results.
Against Bendigo Pioneers, Crozier collected 24 possessions, took eight marks and laid a couple of tackles as Eastern posted a 34-point win.
It was a performance that saw Crozier earn maximum points in the TAC Cup Coaches Award.
“I’ve been taking each week at a time and trying to improve on my game and keep getting better,” Crozier said.
“I started the season up forward and it wasn’t working as well as I would have liked it, but after I got switched to defence, I started to play better.
“I was able to run off my opponent and build our attack, provide good rebound. It’s worked well.”
Mason Crozier knows that he’ll again be faced with making a decision on which sport to pursue, but all the latest indicators point to him sticking with football.
“I’m leaning a bit towards footy. I’ve enjoyed it so much,” he said.
Last Modified on 18/08/2010 11:55