THERE is never a lot of expectation of a 16-year-old playing his first senior game, let alone as a top-up player for an AFL club at NEAFL level.
But young Queenslander Jack Rolls not only showed he is up to the task, but impressed so greatly for the Brisbane Lions he was awarded the Round 2 Rising Star nomination.
The Morningside junior and member of the Brisbane Lions Academy was given the opportunity to play his first senior game as a top-up player for the Lions against Redland on Saturday, where he stood up well with 17 disposals as a running defender.
Rolls was identified for his potential as a 14-year-old and began training with the Brisbane Academy last year.
Lions Academy Manager, Luke Curran, said it was pleasing to see the young talent make a seamless transition into senior football.
“Normally in their first game we don’t expect too much, we just tell them to go out there and enjoy it and get used to senior footy,” he said.
“But to Jack’s credit he wasn’t over-awed by it and adapted really well and played some really good footy.
“He has worked hard over the summer with our Queensland Under-18 squad. His fitness is at a really high level and he has really worked on his body strength, so he handled the adjustment from junior footy to senior footy really well physically.
“But his decision making, his composure and his skills were really good on the weekend and that was probably one of the better games I have seen him play over the last 12-18 months.
“It’s a great benefit for our Academy program for one of our boys to be able do that.”
Rolls stood out for Queensland at the National Under-16 Championships in 2014 and will make the step up to Under-18 level this year.
He will feature in Queensland’s side to play the Dandenong Stingrays in their TAC Cup clash at Tidbold Park on Saturday before continuing his development through the Academy and NEAFL with Brisbane.
“I spoke to him after the game and he was really pleased with how he played and he really enjoyed playing at that level, so I think it’s given him a lot of confidence now and hopefully he can continue to play some good footy with the QLD team this year but also at NEAFL level,” Curran said.
“He is one of our better runners from an endurance point of view, and has a lot of things that tick a lot of boxes at the moment.
“I think he is starting to realise now that he can play some good footy and hopefully he has that motivation now to really put on a good show and prove himself over the next 12-18 months and give himself a shot at being drafted.”
The Rising Star is awarded to the most promising young talent in the NEAFL competition. Nominees must be under the age of 21 and played less than 20 NEAFL games.
But young Queenslander Jack Rolls not only showed he is up to the task, but impressed so greatly for the Brisbane Lions he was awarded the Round 2 Rising Star nomination.
The Morningside junior and member of the Brisbane Lions Academy was given the opportunity to play his first senior game as a top-up player for the Lions against Redland on Saturday, where he stood up well with 17 disposals as a running defender.
Rolls was identified for his potential as a 14-year-old and began training with the Brisbane Academy last year.
Lions Academy Manager, Luke Curran, said it was pleasing to see the young talent make a seamless transition into senior football.
“Normally in their first game we don’t expect too much, we just tell them to go out there and enjoy it and get used to senior footy,” he said.
“But to Jack’s credit he wasn’t over-awed by it and adapted really well and played some really good footy.
“He has worked hard over the summer with our Queensland Under-18 squad. His fitness is at a really high level and he has really worked on his body strength, so he handled the adjustment from junior footy to senior footy really well physically.
“But his decision making, his composure and his skills were really good on the weekend and that was probably one of the better games I have seen him play over the last 12-18 months.
“It’s a great benefit for our Academy program for one of our boys to be able do that.”
Rolls stood out for Queensland at the National Under-16 Championships in 2014 and will make the step up to Under-18 level this year.
He will feature in Queensland’s side to play the Dandenong Stingrays in their TAC Cup clash at Tidbold Park on Saturday before continuing his development through the Academy and NEAFL with Brisbane.
“I spoke to him after the game and he was really pleased with how he played and he really enjoyed playing at that level, so I think it’s given him a lot of confidence now and hopefully he can continue to play some good footy with the QLD team this year but also at NEAFL level,” Curran said.
“He is one of our better runners from an endurance point of view, and has a lot of things that tick a lot of boxes at the moment.
“I think he is starting to realise now that he can play some good footy and hopefully he has that motivation now to really put on a good show and prove himself over the next 12-18 months and give himself a shot at being drafted.”
The Rising Star is awarded to the most promising young talent in the NEAFL competition. Nominees must be under the age of 21 and played less than 20 NEAFL games.
