On the weekend former Knights players Matthew Kreuzer and John Anthony made their AFL debuts for Carlton and Collingwood respectively.
Kreuzer, the #1 Pick at the 2007 AFL Draft, obviously had a debut with a lot of fanfare surrounding it, whether it be from the long and low chant of "Krooooooz" from the Carlton faithful whenever he got the ball, or the fact his every move was being tracked by the NAB Analyser on Channel 10's coverage. However, the pressure of being the #1 Pick with all the publicity surrounding it didn't seem to phase him as he coolly slotted a goal with his first kick, becoming the 117th player in VFL/AFL history to do so. He finished the night with 16 possessions, 12 hitouts and two goals in a very promising debut.
Anthony's debut was much more low key, as he was a late inclusion when Ben Reid didn't pass a fitness test. It's been a long and hard road for the #37 Pick in the 2005 after sitting out the entire 2007 season with a neck injury. Back to full fitness Anthony had a good hit out playing for Collingwood VFL in Round 1, which put him on the radar for AFL selection. Remarkably, Anthony managed to become the 118th player in VFL/AFL history to score a goal with his first kick. He ended the day with four possessions, but made them all count by getting two goals and two goal assists as Collingwood had a good win against Richmond.
Fellow 2005 draftee Ben McKinley (Pick 29) got another taste of AFL action for West Coast after playing his one and only game in 2007. In a much better outing for the strong marking forward McKinley scored three goals off 13 possessions and was named in the best players for the Eagles.
Congratulations to Kreuzer and Anthony for making their AFL debuts and also well done to McKinley for having such a good game early in his career.
Last Modified on 25/09/2008 17:07
