Pies to unleash Kirby on Demons

COLLINGWOOD will unveil exciting forward Kayle Kirby in today’s final game against Melbourne, with one of his former coaches saying comparisons with Cyril Rioli and Byron Pickett aren’t out of line.

For the second game in a row Magpies fans will be treated to a highly anticipated debut — following on from Josh Daicos last week — with Kirby coming in as a late replacement for Ben Reid (general soreness).

His AFL elevation looks set to have cost him the “Frosty” Miller Trophy as the VFL’s leading goalkicker, given he is equal leader (on 46 goals) with Port Melbourne’s Jordan Lisle.

But the 18-year-old hasn’t given up hope: “I can’t really argue with getting picked to play AFL. If [Collingwood teammate] Sam McLarty can keep him [Lisle] to zero goals [today] then I’ll be happy. We’ll finish equal.”

Former Bendigo Pioneers coach Brett Henderson said Kirby was “the most exciting natural talent I have seen”, insisting the hard work he has put in over the past two years is finally paying off.

“He is a dangerous player, but if he can start putting whole quarters together, he is going to be some sort of player,” Henderson said.

He said Kirby had Byron Pickett-like qualities in his attack on the ball, as well as possessing some of the tricks that have made Cyril Rioli one of the most exciting players in the game.

“I stand by that,” Henderson said of the comparisons. “I wouldn’t back away from that. I honestly think ability-wise, that’s what he has got. He has got those tricks. People may not see them this weekend, but I think this is the start of a very exciting [AFL] journey.”