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Fast track to big-time
20May08
Michael Hartley has been snapped up by AFL club Collingwood after only seven months playing the game.
MICHAEL Hartley didn't choose AFL it chose him.
A natural athlete from an early age, Michael had his first taste of Aussie Rules football just seven months ago and is now the latest signing of AFL powerhouse, Collingwood.
"I played in the school team for a muck-around last year," he said.
"We were getting smashed but I got picked to go to a Starz training camp."
At the camp Michael was selected to travel to Narandra for a gala weekend and was quickly spotted by a Collingwood recruiter.
"I train up here and will go to Melbourne regularly to work with the first grade side," Michael said.
"They help me out with a lot of free gear as well."
The 14-year-old from Orchard Hills attends St Dominics College and is the latest nominee for the Penrith Press Junior Sports Star of the Year Award.
Standing at a towering 190cm, Michael was born to play sport, excelling at soccer, cricket and athletics.
Amazingly Michael has played only four AFL club games, joining the Penrith Swans earlier in the year after finalising his arrangement with Collingwood.
Describing himself as an attacking player, he said he enjoys tackling but prefers not to go for too many goals yet. His goal now is to continue to improve and one day play professional AFL.
The Penrith Press Junior Sports Star award is open to all local sportspeople aged between 10 and 16 at the time of nomination.
20May08
MICHAEL Hartley didn't choose AFL it chose him.
A natural athlete from an early age, Michael had his first taste of Aussie Rules football just seven months ago and is now the latest signing of AFL powerhouse, Collingwood.
"I played in the school team for a muck-around last year," he said.
"We were getting smashed but I got picked to go to a Starz training camp."
At the camp Michael was selected to travel to Narandra for a gala weekend and was quickly spotted by a Collingwood recruiter.
"I train up here and will go to Melbourne regularly to work with the first grade side," Michael said.
"They help me out with a lot of free gear as well."
The 14-year-old from Orchard Hills attends St Dominics College and is the latest nominee for the Penrith Press Junior Sports Star of the Year Award.
Standing at a towering 190cm, Michael was born to play sport, excelling at soccer, cricket and athletics.
Amazingly Michael has played only four AFL club games, joining the Penrith Swans earlier in the year after finalising his arrangement with Collingwood.
Describing himself as an attacking player, he said he enjoys tackling but prefers not to go for too many goals yet. His goal now is to continue to improve and one day play professional AFL.
The Penrith Press Junior Sports Star award is open to all local sportspeople aged between 10 and 16 at the time of nomination.
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