EAGLE FLIES ON TO CATS’ VFL RADAR
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NEWTOWN & Chilwell full-forward Sam Nichols deserves to be on Geelong’s VFL radar, according to dual GFL premiership coach Heath Jamieson.
The St Joseph’s mentor described Nichols’ eight-goal outing last weekend against his team as one of the better performances he had seen at GFL level from a full-forward.
So impressed was Jamieson that, in his weekly email to Geelong VFL officials regarding state-league players at Joeys, he told the Cats to keep an eye on the Eagles sharpshooter.
But Eagles coach Damien McMahon was quick to play down suggestions that Nichols is destined for higher honours.
“I think he’s got some work to do,” McMahon said.
“He’s only played 14 games of senior football. He’s obviously having a good season but I wouldn’t go to that extent at this stage.
“If he can do that for a complete season and have another good pre-season, he might be someone that can go further and beyond.
“He’s a fantastic young guy that’s worked hard at his craft and he’s reaping some good rewards from that at the moment.”
Just last year, Nichols struggled to break into Newtown’s first 22, managing just two games in the seniors and another 15 in the reserves.
But McMahon said it was a testament to the work he put in over pre-season that Nichols was leading the GFL goalkicking with 43 majors from 12 matches.
“His ability to chase and put pressure on as a key forward wasn’t at the level that was expected (last year) and he’s addressed that,” McMahon said.
“I think he’s lost a lot of weight over the past few years, he’d be the first to admit that.
“He probably wasn’t in GFL shape previously, but over a period of two or three years he’s allowed his running capacity to catch up with his marking capacity.
“He had a fantastic preseason and deserved his opportunity to play senior football in all three practice matches.
“He showed enough in those games to justify Round 1 selection and since then he’s held his own week by week.
“He’s probably been one of three options we’ve had to play at full-forward but right back in pre-season he was the one that stood out to play that role.”
McMahon said there was no doubt Saturday’s return was Nichols’ career best.
“Absolutely, against quality opposition,” McMahon said.
“For him to be able to kick eight against a quality opposition and then also, he was a bit stiff, he could have kicked another couple quite easily. There were a few marks he was pretty close to getting.
“I’m proud of what he’s been able to do really, he’s done it himself.
“Ultimately, at the end of the day, he’s the guy that’s put the hard work in.”