Finals Round 3 - SportingPulse

YOUNG GUNBy Conor Ryan, Leader NewspapersCOREY WALKER – GLEN WAVERLEY HAWKSThe way they’re travelling, the Glen Waverley Hawks look everyinch a club with a bright future. And Corey Walker is one manwho’ll be a big part of that future. Already a deputy vice-captain ofthe club at just 19 years of age, Walker has established himself as avital cog in the Hawks’ engine.He was at the fore when the club went within a whisker of theDivision 4 flag in 2011, and he has been there again to lift GlenWaverley into the Division 3 finals at its first attempt. Walker isthis week’s Leader Community Newspapers EFL Young GunAwards nominee for Divisions 3 and 4.Glen Waverley coach Mick Gaul said Walker was an outstandingcontributor, on and off the field.‘‘Corey has all the leadership traits to be potentially an outstandingleader for the club,’’ he said. ‘‘He’s an exceptional talent on thefield. A beautiful left-foot kick, sensational skills and an ability tohold his feet no matter the situation.‘‘We’re looking at him as a long-term prospect and potentially acaptain for the club.’’Walker has made his way mopping up across halfback for theHawks, with the occasional foray into the midfield.With Corey playing alongside older brother Clint, the Walkersmake an impressive pairing.Gaul described the pair as chalk and cheese, with Corey’sindustriousness at odds with Clint’s more languid style.‘‘Corey’s a unique player. He’s very versatile, which is one of thebeautiful things about him as a player,’’ he said.‘‘He has an exceptional ability to read the play. He’ll certainly playa big part of our campaign, no doubt about that.’’LEADER YOUNG GUN NOMINEESNominations for the Division 1/2 and Division 3/4 LeaderYoung Gun awards have closed. Thank you to everyone whonominated players throughout 2012.Below is a list of players who were nominated each weekthroughout the season. As you can see, there is a wealth ofyoung talent across all four divisions. The two winners will beannounced on Chandler Medal Night (5 October).Congratulations to all the nominees!LEADER YOUNG GUN AWARD – WEEKLY WINNERSWk Div 1 & 2 Div 3 & 41 Michael Bussey - Rowville Jason Want – Eastern Lions2 Mitch Hayes – Wav Blues Anthony Papa – Wantirna Sth3 Tyson Mitchem – Noble Park Jack Whelan – Nth R’wood4 Hayden Schroeder – Bayswater Patrick Burmeister – Ringwood5 Jayden Kroussoratis – Norwood Thomas Birkett – Mitcham6 Matt Sheppard – Balwyn Mitchell Wright - Boronia7 Leigh Kimpton – Croydon Max Kruger – The Basin8 James Crowle – Sth Croydon Thomas Appleby - Warrandyte9 Nick Murphy – Donvale Taylor Leggate – Wantirna Sth10 Tim Knowles – Mulgrave Levi King – Canterbury11 Nick Sargent – Lilydale James Oberin – W Pioneers12 Xavier Barry-Murphy – Vermont Seamus Herrick – Surrey Park13 Alex Calder – Upper FTG James Moore – Chirnside Park14 Dean Siakoulis - Mulgrave Sam Coghlan – Park Orchards15 Jayden Hoegel – Scoresby Trevor Mills – The Basin16 Tim Whitty – Doncaster East Cohen McElroy – Eastern Lions17 Jacob Castricum – Knox Corey Walker – GW HawksGet your tickets earlyGrandFinalat the Hawthorn HotelSATURDAY 29TH OF SEPTEMBER 2012General Admission $5INCLUDES A POT & PIEReserved Seating $25WITH A BBQ LUNCHFOLLOWED BY LIVE COVER BAND FROM 7PMDOORS OPEN 11 AMTHE HAWTHORN HOTEL | 481 BURWOOD RD, HAWTHORN | WWW.HAWTHORNHOTEL.COM.AUwww.efl.org.au34