Young Baxter has name and the game
GEELONG fans will have their first taste of potential 2018 father-son draftee Baxter Mensch when he debuts for the Falcons on Sunday.
The 17-year-old son of 158gamer David Mensch has strung together a strong run of form at AFL Barwon Division 1 Colts club Newtown & Chilwell and in school footy at St Joseph’s, earning the call-up to make his TAC Cup debut when he travels to Bendigo to play the Pioneers.
David, who kicked 173 goals in his 11-season career at the Cats, said it would be a good for the aspiring footballer.
“It’s a great opportunity for him to play at a higher level now and play with some of the guys who are obviously not far away from playing AFL,” Mensch said.
“Obviously he’s bottom age and he’s got a lot of development still to go, but to have a chance to play with some better kids is a great opportunity.”
The left-foot midfielder was named best for the Eagles in successive matches, leaving Falcons coach Daniel O’Keefe no choice but to promote the teenager.
“He plays on the ball back at his local club and swaps down forward, so he’s a bit of a utility I suppose,” Mensch said.
“He’s six-foot (183cm) and his main game is his gut running, he tends to run all day. He’s a left-footer — don’t know where he got that from — but he uses the ball well and likes to have a big engine and burn off kids.”
Mensch said his son had relished juggling local football with school footy.
“His last month’s been solid and he’s played some really good footy back at his local club,” he said.
“He also plays school footy with Joeys as well, so he’s been mixing it with the Falcons kids as well. I think that’s helped, playing at Joeys as well.
“He’s had a big workload, playing two games a week for the last six weeks. I think he’s feeling really good about himself and the way he’s been playing; it’s great he’s got the opportunity now and hopefully take the next step.”
Mensch said he expected his son’s best was yet to come.
“He’s definitely got some improvement, still learning his trade I suppose, and he’s still got some growing to do obviously, being bottom age,” he said.
“But he’s loving it being down at the Falcons, learning as much as he can every week; he always comes home and says they’re doing this or that, so I thank ‘ DOK’ (O’Keefe) and Mick Turner for having him down there and teaching him all these new things. It’s a great opportunity for him.”