Nine-goal haul a thrill for 16-year-old Nathan Wardius at Rand-Walbundrie-Walla

After all, how many people can say they've kicked nine goals in a game of senior football and then gone straight into a week of remote schooling?

Wardius, 16, has been a regular for Rand-Walbundrie-Walla this season and his bag against fellow finalists CDHBU was further proof he belongs at that level.

Lockdown meant he didn't get to celebrate with his Year 11 class-mates but nothing could wipe the smile off Wardius' face.

"It was awesome," he beamed.

"All of the boys, including the ones that weren't playing, came to me and got around me.

"It's really good for a young player.

"It was the first time this season we've had really good entries into the forward line.

"I found some really good leading paths and was able to fly at the ball a lot.

"The last few weeks, I've had real good starts and the same happened this week but we just kept going.

"The ball kept coming down with good entries, hitting targets, and I had a full good game.

"I've had a couple of games with slow starts and it puts you off for the rest of the game.

"It's hard to get yourself into the game when that happens but when it goes like last weekend, it lifts your whole confidence and you can back yourself."

Wardius burst onto the scene as a 14-year-old in 2019, kicking five goals on his senior debut after stepping up from the Giants' thirds to cover for injuries.

He booted 39 majors this season and is set to prove a handful in finals.

"I've loved it, especially with a new coach," Wardius said.

"They've really looked after me, they're always standing up for me and especially playing with my brother, Hayden, in the majority of the games, it's been really fun.

"There's been a couple of times this year when someone's given me grief and he'll just come in and stand up for me.

"It's good having him on my team because I know he'll always back me up.

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"I had two full pre-seasons with the boys before having this main season so I felt pretty comfortable.

"I know my role a bit more now. In juniors, you just run around and try to get a kick but coming into senior footy this year, I've learnt my role playing as a small forward."

The Giants finished the home-and-away season third with 12 wins and four losses.

"We're definitely going the right way," Wardius said.

"I'd love to play finals, especially at our home ground (Walbundrie) in front of the home crowd.

"It would be really good to get out there and try to get a few wins."

Hayden, 18, played 12 senior games this season while older brother Damian, 21, kicked 37 goals in the reserves.

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