Lempa kicks it up a notch in middle
A CHANGE of scenery this season for Centrals Trinity Beach’s Ryan Lempa has helped the midfielder put together his best form since landing in AFL Cairns at the start of 2015.
Recruited from Barnawartha FC in the Tallangatta and District Football League, Lempa has been a consistent contributor in defence for the Bulldogs but has taken his game to a new level in 2018 after being shifted into the midfield.
In recent seasons, the Bulldogs’ on-ball department has been driven by Hugh Nicholson, Jayden Holt, Max McLachlan and Tim Mcauley, with Lempa biding his time in the back six.
With that quartet not in Mick Seymour’s squad in the first month or so of the season, Lempa was injected into the middle of the ground.
He has certainly made the most of the opportunity.
The greenkeeper by trade polled a full book of 10 AFL Cairns Coaches votes in their upset over South Cairns last Saturday, just seven days after grabbing the full 10 in the win over North Cairns.
“I am really enjoying the change and playing in the middle is making it much easier for me,” Lempa said.
“I have always pushed myself to be fit enough to play on the ball if need be, but circumstances have not let me before this year, and this year I have really tried to take the opportunity with both hands.
“I have tried to take a bit from watching Hugh and those guys last year; playing across halfback last year I was able to watch it all unfold.”
The 24-year-old dubbed Bulldogs ruckman Michael Chitham one of the best at his position in the league and said he was giving the midfield first-class service in 2018.
Seymour, in his second season in charge back at Crathern Park, has encouraged Lempa to use his run and carry as much as possible.
“He has always been a quality player for our club,” Seymour said.
“The change of scenery this season has done him the world of good. He was a solid defender that generally played on a good forward but we have sent him forward and through the middle.
“He has genuine leg speed and is pretty fit at the minute.
“It has worked really well for us so far.”
The Bulldogs’ form was a bit shaky to start season 2018 but Lempa said the return of former co-captain McLachlan and Ballarat Football League recruit Nicholas Thacker’s debut last week had helped turn the ship around.
Manunda travel across town to face Trinity Beach today for the second time this season.
In other Round 8 games, North Cairns travel to Port Douglas while South Cairns will look to bounce back from their loss to CTB at Holloways Beach against City Lions.