COROWA-Rutherglen recruit Brett Zorzi is playing his cards close to his chest on whether he will debut against Yarrawonga spearhead Brendan Fevola at J.C. Lowe Oval today.
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Zorzi trained with the Roos for the first time on Thursday night with the biggest job in Ovens and Murray football expected to fall to him or the close-checking backman Al Austin.
“I might go down there,” Zorzi said yesterday.
“I’m not sure what Bryce (Campbell) has in store for me yet.
“I played four years at full-back for Norwood and it might be a good way to start but if he kicks a couple I might have to make my way up the ground.”
The most likely scenario is Zorzi will spend time in defence and the midfield as Corowa-Rutherglen attempts to claim an overdue win over Yarrawonga and replace the Pigeons in the top three.
The dual Norwood premiership player has put himself through a “mini pre-season” since signing with the Roos late last month and is hoping his body holds up.
“I’ll see how I go,” he said.
“I’m feeling pretty good even though I’m expecting to cramp up by half-time.
“You can do all the pre- season you like but when it comes to the first game you are huffing and puffing.
“It was good to train on Thursday night with the lads and put some names to face.
“They have all been a very welcoming group of blokes.”
Zorzi, who will travel from Melbourne, plans to play the next fortnight against Yarrawonga and Albury and the final three home and away rounds against Wangaratta Rovers, North Albury and Lavington.
Depending on his body, he may also squeeze in another match in between.
The occasion certainly won’t get the better of Zorzi today.
He was best on ground in Norwood’s SANFL grand final victory over North Adelaide last season and won three best and fairests in his 164-matches with the Redlegs.
Zorzi played a reserve match for Carlton in 1997 and made the VFL team while playing for Northern Bullants.
“I was going to retire but then things opened up a bit for me on weekends,” he said.
“I have known Bryce for 10 years and was one of his groomsmen.
“When he went to Corowa and I moved to Melbourne I thought I might come and visit, but now I’m playing at the club.”