PLAYING in the AFL Under 18 National Championships impacts players in different ways. For Geelong midfielder Luke Dahlhaus it’s been the making of him.
Both Dahlhaus and Geelong Falcons Regional Manager Mick Turner acknowledge that he’s returned to the TAC Cup an infinitely better player. Dahlhaus has played just the two games for the Falcons, but he was a pivotal player both games and polled major votes from both games in the TAC Cup Coaches Award.
Turner said Dahlhaus had taken his game to “another level” since returning from the National Championships. He added that the Year 12 St Joseph’s student had also been the school’s best player in the Herald Sun Shield.
Modestly, Dahlhaus said he’d noted how the Championships had improved him. “The past two games are my best of the season,” Dahlhaus said.
Statistics certainly back that up. Against Murray Bushrangers, Dahlhaus collected 35 disposals against and then 29 against Calder Cannons.
“I’ve got a lot of confidence from all the coaches and all the blokes I played with,” Dahlhaus said.
While he came off and on the interchange bench, Dahlhaus said the experience was an invaluable learning tool as he gained the opportunity to play not only with the best from Vic Country, but also against the best of the best from other States.
Dahlhaus said he would never forget playing for the first time on the MCG and what a huge thrill it was. “Playing against some of the really good players from all around the country, the players that already everyone knows their names was great,” Dahlhaus said.
With the Championships and school football behind him, Dahlhaus said the priority now is on helping the Falcons win the TAC Cup premiership. While he played in last year’s dominant Falcons team, Dahlhaus believes this year’s team is better balanced and plays a better team orientated game.
“We have a very good chance of playing well into the finals. While there is a lot of good individual players, we play really well as a team,” Dahlhaus said.
“We follow the structures the ‘Hoody’ (coach Paul Hood) puts down. Last year’s team was one of the best you could ever play in, we had a lot of very good players.
This year there is a greater spread of good players. “I think we’re more of a team this year. All the players have come back from the Championships and this is the best football I’ve seen us play all year.”
Last Modified on 18/08/2010 12:06