One of the league’s smallest players is looking to make a big impact when Albury hosts Yarrawonga on Saturday.
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Jake Gaynor is a contender for recruit of the year, handling the giant step from the Riverina Football League with ease.
“The O and M’s got a lot better players, it’s a lot quicker and skilful,” he said.
“It’s a lot more physical down here, it’s a massive step from the RFL.”
It’s extremely rare for a player from the Riverina to have such an effect so quickly, unless they’re a bona fide star.
“I was lucky enough to play a few NEAFL (North East Australian Football League) games last year with the Giants and I played a few nationals games as well with the under 18 Giants Academy, so that brought me up to the pace of the game,” he said.
“Also in the NEAFL, the bigger bodies there have helped me a little bit, but you never really know what to expect when you’re from a new league.”
Gaynor’s rapid development was highlighted in the final quarter against Wodonga Raiders last week.
The 170cm on-baller snared three clearances and was opposed to Morris Medal runner-up Brodie Filo for much of the second half.
His form was to be rewarded with selection in the Vic Country under 19 squad, but Gaynor knocked it back.
“It was just too hard,” he said.
“I’d travel down there (to Melbourne) from Wagga on a Sunday for training at 10am, and then I’d have to get back to Wagga for work on a Monday, so it just wouldn’t work.”
Gaynor is the latest in a long line of former Riverina players to shine in the Ovens and Murray, including his cousin and 1997 Albury premiership mentor Michael Buchanan.
The pressure will now only ramp up on the 19-year-old though as teams become more aware of his pace and evasion with Yarrawonga certain to put plenty of homework into the pacy 68kg midfielder.
“They’re a very good side and I’ve got a lot of respect for them,” he said.
