Toast Shane Kersten

[Partridge]

yep and in those 13 games, one bloke managed about 1.6 goals & 5 marks v 0.6 goals & 4 marks per game but I get what your saying.

Unfortunately we're not allowed to shoot players on our list like hobbled horses. More's the pity.

 

[rocker_oz33]

Meet Bourke and Lang....>

Forget Bourke and Wills, it’s all about the Bourke and Lang duo down at Kardinia Park. The former Falcons were both picked up by the Cats last year and have formed a friendship through football, with senior players citing a ‘bromance’ on the rise.

The new Cats are both from country Victoria, with Darcy Lang from Colac and Nick Bourke from Noorat.

“We knew each other through just footy really, the longer we played together the better friends we became,” Lang said.

“It probably started in the local under 15’s team and then eventuated through Vic Country and Geelong Falcons for the next three years,” Bourke said.

Lang was Geelong’s first selection in the 2013 draft (No. 16) and Bourke was taken at 31 in last year’s rookie draft.

The youngsters agreed that playing for the Geelong Falcons in the TAC Cup certainly made the transition to the Cats easier, also citing their friendship for making day one less daunting.

“Once he came here I was pretty happy, had a close mate to kind of hang around. It helped [with the transition] I reckon,” Lang said.

Their friendship has stemmed from football and seems to be cemented in it, admitting they don’t do anything too exciting outside the club.

“We’ve sort of been trying to get into a bit of golf… Sometimes we watch some movies… Nah we don’t do much at all,” Lang realized amid laughter.

“We go to [Lang’s] house and watch movies and that, [his host family] has a big movie theatre so we spend a lot of time there,” Bourke added.

The pair was quick to name Jarrad Jansen as their third amigo, another first year Cat who was selected in the draft from Western Australia.

draft from Western Australia.

“We’ve all kind of clicked as a three,” Bourke said.

Given how much time Bourke and Lang spend together, they each had plenty to say about the other when asked to describe them.

“As a person, annoying, nah he’s pretty funny you can have a good laugh with him, he doesn’t take himself too seriously which is good.

“As a player, he’s pretty versatile; he can play in most positions pretty well and picks up the game pretty well,” Lang said.

“As a player he’s pretty composed, he doesn’t seem to get caught too much, always finds the right option and doesn’t get tackled. He always seems to have time and can use both sides of his body really well,” Bourke said.

“He’s a good bloke, he’s pretty funny. We’re probably a bit different; he’s a bit more mature than me.

“He’s in love with his girlfriend [too]. I don’t see much of him when his girlfriend’s down, she comes down and yeah she’s kind of the chosen one,” Bourke added, jokingly jealous.

Bourke admitted Lang was one of the first people he called after the Cats selected him and that they were both excited to begin their AFL career together.

“I got to know [Lang] really well and was really good mates with him, then we were lucky enough to be picked up by the same club which was pretty exciting,” Bourke said.

Lang had an interesting journey to being drafted, badly breaking his leg in 2013 and missing most of the season, casting doubt over when he would be selected.

In the days after the draft, rumours that his friends turned up to his house in Geelong jumpers as soon as his name was read out started circulating.

“Yeah that did happen, my best mate, he’s a Geelong supporter so he rocked up in the jumper with a texta and got me to sign it straight away,” Lang said.

Lang debuted against the Saints two weeks ago and admitted he was pretty nervous.

“The night before [the game] I’d just sort of played the game over already in my head, sort of the possibilities that could happen on the ground. It took me a while to get to sleep,” Lang said.

Both Lang and Bourke are looking forward to an exciting future together with the Cats.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs

Exclusive to geelongcats.com.au
More By Melissa Haase and Rocker oz (lol)
http://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/2014-07-01/meet-bourke-and-lang

 

[TheJimmyCartel]

Meet Bourke and Lang....>

Forget Bourke and Wills, it’s all about the Bourke and Lang duo down at Kardinia Park. The former Falcons were both picked up by the Cats last year and have formed a friendship through football, with senior players citing a ‘bromance’ on the rise.

The new Cats are both from country Victoria, with Darcy Lang from Colac and Nick Bourke from Noorat.

“We knew each other through just footy really, the longer we played together the better friends we became,” Lang said.

“It probably started in the local under 15’s team and then eventuated through Vic Country and Geelong Falcons for the next three years,” Bourke said.

Lang was Geelong’s first selection in the 2013 draft (No. 16) and Bourke was taken at 31 in last year’s rookie draft.

The youngsters agreed that playing for the Geelong Falcons in the TAC Cup certainly made the transition to the Cats easier, also citing their friendship for making day one less daunting.

“Once he came here I was pretty happy, had a close mate to kind of hang around. It helped [with the transition] I reckon,” Lang said.

Their friendship has stemmed from football and seems to be cemented in it, admitting they don’t do anything too exciting outside the club.

“We’ve sort of been trying to get into a bit of golf… Sometimes we watch some movies… Nah we don’t do much at all,” Lang realized amid laughter.

“We go to [Lang’s] house and watch movies and that, [his host family] has a big movie theatre so we spend a lot of time there,” Bourke added.

The pair was quick to name Jarrad Jansen as their third amigo, another first year Cat who was selected in the draft from Western Australia.

draft from Western Australia.

“We’ve all kind of clicked as a three,” Bourke said.

Given how much time Bourke and Lang spend together, they each had plenty to say about the other when asked to describe them.

“As a person, annoying, nah he’s pretty funny you can have a good laugh with him, he doesn’t take himself too seriously which is good.

“As a player, he’s pretty versatile; he can play in most positions pretty well and picks up the game pretty well,” Lang said.

“As a player he’s pretty composed, he doesn’t seem to get caught too much, always finds the right option and doesn’t get tackled. He always seems to have time and can use both sides of his body really well,” Bourke said.

“He’s a good bloke, he’s pretty funny. We’re probably a bit different; he’s a bit more mature than me.

“He’s in love with his girlfriend [too]. I don’t see much of him when his girlfriend’s down, she comes down and yeah she’s kind of the chosen one,” Bourke added, jokingly jealous.

Bourke admitted Lang was one of the first people he called after the Cats selected him and that they were both excited to begin their AFL career together.

“I got to know [Lang] really well and was really good mates with him, then we were lucky enough to be picked up by the same club which was pretty exciting,” Bourke said.

Lang had an interesting journey to being drafted, badly breaking his leg in 2013 and missing most of the season, casting doubt over when he would be selected.

In the days after the draft, rumours that his friends turned up to his house in Geelong jumpers as soon as his name was read out started circulating.

“Yeah that did happen, my best mate, he’s a Geelong supporter so he rocked up in the jumper with a texta and got me to sign it straight away,” Lang said.

Lang debuted against the Saints two weeks ago and admitted he was pretty nervous.

“The night before [the game] I’d just sort of played the game over already in my head, sort of the possibilities that could happen on the ground. It took me a while to get to sleep,” Lang said.

Both Lang and Bourke are looking forward to an exciting future together with the Cats.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs

Exclusive to geelongcats.com.au
More By Melissa Haase and Rocker oz (lol)
http://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/2014-07-01/meet-bourke-and-lang

Wrong thread?

 

[rocker_oz33]

Wrong thread?

Well our very nice mods can move it.
I did'nt want to make a new thread on these 2 kittens.

 

[Daniel McL]

9 goals (I think?) in 4 games I am very impressed with. Kicked a goal at the end of the 1st quarter when no one else could. Great hands on the lead as well! I think we are going to see plenty more of Kersto!

 

[catempire]

Yes, just knows where to run and is a great finisher. You get the feeling things haven't even clicked for him yet but he's still contributing nicely.

 

[manboob]

I love how Tom loves him Always looking after and encouraging him.

 

[Jon Douglas]

I think he played pretty well today. Good hands in the wet. As he gets more senior experience (and plays more in dry weather) he learn to use his big body better and will kick a few goals for us.

Really this year is about learning about senior footy so whatever he does is a bonus. So 9 goals is pretty good going.

 

[catempire]

BTW, Motlop said today Kersten is the quickest over 20m at the club. Pace can be deceptive, it seems!

 

[Lana]

Currently ranked 12th for goals per game

 

[vinum coupe]

9 goals (I think?) in 4 games I am very impressed with. Kicked a goal at the end of the 1st quarter when no one else could. Great hands on the lead as well! I think we are going to see plenty more of Kersto!

And that banana was a thing of beauty.
I was behind it. He hits the ball so sweetly.

 

[BotsMaster]

Gary Lyon said today that he has all this talent but none of the confidence.

 

[rocker_oz33]

And that banana was a thing of beauty.
I was behind it. He hits the ball so sweetly.

Looked good where I was sitting.

 

[dazbroncos]

He is still finding his way for sure.. but in game 4 that is totally to be expected. That and the fact , as he said in the KROCK interview, its not just about t kicking goals in the VFL to get selected. He has to work on his defensive pressure and repeat efforts and also just working in with Tommahawk but feels that it is coming.

I also liked the way he pushed the MC for more selection by adding, quite rightly, that the more they play together the better than synergy will be. The stat hounds may not be thinking he is a lock and perhaps fair enough but I'm seeing progress each week.

Today he was leading much further up the ground and took some stellar grabs on a wet slippery ball out in front of his face, not on his chest. One was a ripping bullet pass too and it just stuck like glue.

He also did this deft little tap on to Tommy I think it was that didn't result in a score but it just showed the silky awareness and footy brain he has.

Been on this from very early and finally seeing it happen for him is awesome. And a little crow to be handed out to the pagans whom had doubt too

Mihc more to learn and growth to be had - his words - and this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship….

Now Balmey, get the paperwork thing done and get him re-signed!!!!!!!

GO Catters

 

[Teriyakicat]

BTW, Motlop said today Kersten is the quickest over 20m at the club. Pace can be deceptive, it seems!

I recall Scott saying a year or two ago that Harry Taylor was "one of the fastest" (I think- probably not THE fastest) over 20m and he appears to lumber, doesn't he??

 

[BotsMaster]

do you agree?
He hasn't began jumping for his marks yet and that's usually a good sign of a players confidence.

I agree somewhat, but I also know that the more games he plays the more confident he'll become.

 

[vinum coupe]

do you agree?
He hasn't began jumping for his marks yet and that's usually a good sign of a players confidence.

I think he has huge confidence in his own ability, but not in his place in the team.

In the second quarter he marked it about 55 out at CHF.
I said "please go back and have a shot, he'll kick this"

Unfortunately he got a call from his right from Bartel. A senior player he isn't going to ignore yet.
And a poor call from Bartel. 50m kicks on the run aren't his go anymore.

As a senior player Bartel should have just let the kid have a kick.
Was a bit disappointed.

and..... I may be confusing that one with another..... not sure.
There was also one where he was 55 out and 'passed' it to Hawkins in the square.

It was a very soft kick by Kersten. He would have made the distance easily if he tried.

 

[Cursed Cat]

Now Balmey, get the paperwork thing done and get him re-signed!!!!!!!

GO Catters

enjoyed the rest of that post Daz, but yeah bottom line, we need to re-sign this guy.

I also thought he was one to watch early on and have been pleased with what he's done in his first 4 games, but he still has a loooong way to go - and I'd prefer if he took that journey in the hoops!

baby steps for Kersten, you notice the little improvements; today he found ways to stay in the game after fading the past two weeks.

 

[BlakeyNoFlakey]

Kersto could be our Gunston/Bruest type of the future, I'm very excited about his potential. They waited 6 months too long to debut him.

 

[DanA]

Looks bloody good on a lead and most importantly doesn't waste chances. His tackle pressure has been excellent for a big man too. Could be a bit better below his knees and recovering. Just seems slow to get up and reenter the contest. Think it's a bad habit that will be ironed out pretty quickly though.

 

[Turbocat]

Yes, just knows where to run and is a great finisher. You get the feeling things haven't even clicked for him yet but he's still contributing nicely.

Agility and leap are two ares that I see as weakness, so he can get better. Yet to have so much to work on while getting two + a game....wow

Now if we could find another marking target that compliments them both , our forwardline world start to ruffle feathers (of many colours)

 

[Teriyakicat]

Kersto could be our Gunston/Bruest type of the future, I'm very excited about his potential. They waited 6 months too long to debut him.

Don't forget that he kept getting injured both last season and this, BNF. He was knocking on the door each time, but kept going down in the VFL.

 

[Teriyakicat]

Agility and leap are two ares that I see as weakness, so he can get better. Yet to have so much to work on while getting two + a game....wow

Now if we could find another marking target that compliments them both , our forwardline world start to ruffle feathers (of many colours)

Bring back BROWN!!!!

 

[Strangled Cat]

Kersto is a young Matthew Pavlich more than anyone else who he's been compared to in the last couple of pages. If he ends up becoming half as good, we'll be on a winner!

 

[dazbroncos]

Kersto could be our Gunston/Bruest type of the future, I'm very excited about his potential. They waited 6 months too long to debut him.

I wanted him out there too but given his first 6 months this year he was hurt there was not much theclub could do..

And regarding last year, id say he wasn't ready. Needed to work harder defensively.
Made the wait worth it however!

Go Catters