Corowa-Rutherglen coach Marc Almond has labelled Lavington teenager Elijah Amery’s work in traffic ‘elite’.
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The Year 10 schoolboy was outstanding in just his third senior game against the Roos.
“He’s just clean, super clean,” Almond said.
“His change of direction and his ability to work in the phone box is elite.
“His ability to change the line of the ball and the way the defence is going and he goes the other way is so clever.
“When he’s in and around the ball and comes out the other side of the congestion, that’s as good as you’ll see for a kid like that.
“And he’s really strong too, he shrugged tackles.”
Amery made his senior debut against Wodonga and has now kicked a goal in successive games against Myrtleford and the Roos.
At just 70kgs, he’s deceptively strong.
“I just think that’s a normal game (seniors) and I enjoy it more because it’s more relaxed and you get to do your own thing and play your own game, I just really enjoy it,” Amery said.
The 16-year-old played Murray Bushrangers under 16s but now that that competition is finished, he’s totally focused on retaining his senior spot.
“(Lavington coach Simon Curtis) tells me to put my pressure on and use my pace, play your own game and I should be right,” Amery said.
“I’m a pressure forward, so at the contest I just try and be at the foot of the forwards as much as I can.”
Amery represented Victoria at under 15 level last year, along with Elijah Hollands, the son of former O and M star Ben.
Six youngsters from the area played for NSW, including Darcy Melksham, who was named Corowa-Rutherglen’s best against North Albury last month.
If Amery stays in seniors, he’ll receive his greatest test when the Panthers travel to Wodonga Raiders on Saturday.
Raiders could virtually seal a top three finish, even with another four games left.
Given the rapid improvement of fourth-placed Yarrawonga in recent weeks and the prospect of a much stronger Wangaratta as players start to return from injury and overseas, Raiders will be desperate to avoid the elimination final.
Lavington ended Raiders’ season in the corresponding game, so motivation certainly won’t be an issue for the second-placed side.
The Panthers are coming off three successive wins, but they’ve been against teams outside the five, so the improvement Curtis spoke about after the recent Myrtleford win will receive a litmus test against top three contenders.
