WILL Nolan hasn’t taken a backward step since bursting onto the scene for the Rovers in the Wangaratta derby.
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The 18-year-old Hawk kicked a crucial goal as the Rovers over-ran their bitter rivals in a memorable encounter at W.J. Findlay Oval in round five and went on to play the final 14 matches of the season in the seniors.
Rovers co-coach Sam Carpenter tipped Nolan to enjoy a long career with the Hawks after he joined Wangaratta’s Brad Melville and Hugh Amery and Myrtleford’s Chad Martin as a nominee for the Ovens and Murray rising star award.
Carpenter said Nolan had excelled as an attacking defender after starting out in the midfield.
“He plays a lot taller than he is, he can play on a taller player and then when the ball hits the ground he’s pretty electrifying with his pace and he’s got a deadly left-foot kick,” he said.
Carpenter said the dreadlocked Nolan may get even quicker if he got a haircut before next season.
“We might have to get the clippers onto him over the summer,” he joked.