Young guns firing

Brett Pettersen

A number of Sydney University Australian Football Club young guns were in action over the weekend making names for themselves.

Tim Barton played with Greater Western Sydney Giants against the Northern Bullants in the Foxtel Cup which was shown on Fox Sports.

Tim had his work cut out playing part of the game on Carlton veteran Bret Thornton. But he acquitted himself well and had the added thrill of playing at the MCG.

Meanwhile, Mitch Thompson, James Brain and Kane Murphy turned out for the Swans Reserves who beat Tuggeranong by 111 points.

Thompson and Murphy were named in the best for the Swans and are certainly not looking out of place next to established players on the Swans’ main and rookie lists

Craig Moller, Michael Hartley and Jarrod Witts were all named among the best for the NSW Rams Under 18 side in a match against TAC Cup opponents Northern Knights.

Moller was best on ground with five goals and the Rams came away narrowly with the points after coming from behind.

Colts Tim Barrett, Gabe Robbie and Monty Krochmal all played senior football in the club’s loss to undefeated Balmain by 14 points. All have impressed to deserve their opportunity.

Barrett, in particular, has played well in a forward pocket and this week was announced as the Round 5 Sydney AFL Rising Star nomination. He has kicked three goals in two games and impressed in his debut against Illawarra and again last week against Balmain.

Whether roving at the feet of key forwards Peter Dugmore and Adam Campbell, dishing off handballs to team-mates to goal or trapping the ball inside the team’s own 50-metre arc with terrific pressure Tim has shown relentless attack on the football, smarts around goal and inspirational tackling.

Ex-Newtown junior Richard Newell continues to impress for Brisbane in the NEAFL. On scholarship with the Lions, Newell relocated to Brisbane this year and is turning heads by earning himself the Round 4 NEAFL Rising Star nomination.

And  our local juniors continue to make a mark on the Under 18 competition also. Glebe’s Jack Hiscox travelled to Illawarra with the Colts and was best on ground in their big win.

Names such as Sam Lonergan Stewart (Newtown), Jaydon Donarto (Glebe) and Matthew Powys (Maroubra/Scots College) are just a few local lads starting to make their mark in the Colts in what looks like another very exciting year ahead for that group.