Duo’s chance to shine on big stage

A PAIR of TSL Tigers young guns have been selected to play alongside the nation’s best teenage talent this week in the two AFL All Stars games leading up to the AFL Grand Final.

Kingborough’s Hugh Dixon will run out in the under-18 All Stars game and teammate Lachlan Gadomski will compete in the under-17 version, with both matches likely to draw close attention from AFL talent scouts and recruiters.

Both matches will have players representing either Team Enright or Team Harvey. The under-18 match will be a curtain-raiser for the AFL Grand Final and the first time Dixon runs out onto the MCG.

“It’s an honour really, I’m pumped for it,” he said.

“I’ll look at it as another game, but it’s obviously a bigger stage so it’s a good opportunity to take a step forward.”

Listed as the sole Tasmanian to play in the under-18 game, Dixon is also the only Tasmanian invited to next month’s AFL Draft Combine and says that a strong performance this weekend will enhance his draft chances.

“I’m expecting the skill level in Saturday’s game to be a lot higher,” Dixon said.

“It’s a good opportunity to put my name out there a bit more and be seen.”

Gadomski will have to wait until next year to be eligible for the draft, but he is hoping that a game against the nation’s best in his age group will further his development.

“It’ll be a good learning opportunity,” he said. “I’ll take confidence away from games with the Mariners and senior games for Kingborough.

“Next year the goal is to play with the Allies [in the TAC Cup].

“Obviously it would be a dream to be drafted thereafter.”

Kingborough coach Aaron Vince believes that both players have bright football futures.

“From last year in the under-16s, Lachie has shown a lot of maturity and thirst for footy,” Vince said. “He’s a special talent.

“I’ve spoken to a few AFL clubs about Hugh’s ability and there’ll be recruiters there to see that [on Saturday].”

Other Tasmanian players named to play in the under-17 All Stars game are Lauderdale’s Mitch Anderton and North Launceston’s Tarryn Thomas.

The under-17s game is at 1pm on Friday at Simonds Stadium in Geelong and the under-18s will start at 10am on Saturday at the MCG.