AFL CANBERRA ROUND TWO 2011 $3.00 - neafl

LOCAL GIANTS
By Dane Keenes
If you told footy followers at the start of last season that
AFL Canberra players would have the opportunity to lineup
against AFL superstars such as Carlton’s Chris Judd
and North Melbourne’s Brent Harvey, most would have
told you to take a hike.
But for Ainslie’s Marcus Crook and Ben Hughes,
Eastlake’s Aaron Bruce and Mark Kimball, Queanbeyan’s
Mitch Daniher and Tuggeranong’s Sean Ellis, it became
a reality.
THE SIX PLAYERS WERE SELECTED
FOLLOWING THE ACT Vs GWS
REPRESENTATIVE GAME IN
FEBRUARY AND PLAYED IN MATCHES
FOR THE GIANTS THROUGHOUT
THEIR PRE-SEASON CAMPAIGN.
Ainslie’s Crook played in the most games, running out
for NAB Cup matches against the Gold Coast Suns and
Sydney Swans, as well as NAB Challenge games against
the Kangaroos, Port Adelaide and Carlton.
“It was amazing, the opportunity to play at that level of
footy and at that standard,” Crook said.
“Being on the same field as players like Chris Judd,
Daniel Motlop and Danyle Pearce was pretty surreal.
“To play in that standard of footy really shows you it
takes to make it at that level and how hard you need to
work.”
Duel Mulrooney medallist Mitch Daniher is no stranger
to a high standard of competition, but even he found the
step up a challenge.
“It was pretty flat out,’’ he said.
“Definitely a lot quicker and there was a bit more
intensity.”
For Eastake’s Aaron Bruce the experience was not quite
unfamiliar territory, having being rookie listed by the
Swans in 2008.
But he relished the chance to play alongside brother Josh
Bruce, who was signed by the GIANTS last year.
“It was an awesome opportunity,” he said.
“It was a bit surreal... I’ve only played with my brother
twice before I think so yeah it was good fun to get out
there with him.”
Bruce, Crook, Ellis and Kimball also got the opportunity
to play against in the nation’s capital at Manuka Oval.
And a 157 point defeat to the hands of Carlton wasn’t
enough to dull the experience for those players.
“There was a lot of support from all the local teams and I
had some of my mates there... it was great,” Crook said.
“IT WAS A GOOD EXPERIENCE IN
FRONT OF A HOME CROWD, I WAS
JUST REALLY THANKFUL FOR THE
OPPORTUNITY,” BRUCE SAID.
The GIANTS play in Canberra for the first time in NEAFL
competition, against Ainslie at Ainslie Oval this Saturday.