JAKE Greiser has shown an insatiable appetite for the contest in the opening seven rounds of the TAC Cup.
The strongly built 18-year-old from the Western Jets is rated one of the most fierce contested ball players in the competition.
Greiser got reward for his efforts, named starting onballer for Vic Metro at the NAB AFL under-18 national championships which began at the weekend and will continue until the first week of July.
“He’s right up there with the top couple of players in the whole competition in terms of winning contested possession,” Jets coach Torin Baker said.
What cannot be measured by the statisticians is the hours of preparation Greiser has put into getting the best out of himself.
The Keilor product has impressed Baker with his work ethic and this has given him an edge over the rest of the players in his position. “He really does leave no stone unturned in his preparation,” Baker said.
Greiser was one of two players who made the final Vic Metro team for the first game against Queensland, which was completed after the Weekly went to press.
The other was James Sicily, a strong marking utility with an eye for goal. Sicily, also from Keilor, has booted 12 goals for the Jets this season, but has been used in a variety of roles through the midfield and forward.
“James is just a really talented player, who has a bit of versatility about his football,” Baker said.
Sicily is a tough match up. While he stands at mid-sized 186 centimetres, his arm span gives the impression of a taller player.
Crucially, his football nous allows him to find the best position in a marking contest, and he has a safe pair of hands.
The cherry on the top is his ball use, which gives his coaches flexibility to use him in all sections of the ground.
“He has good, really good timing, and really good judgment,” Baker said.
Greiser and Sicily will return to the Jets for Saturday’s crucial bout with Murray Bushrangers. Their next Vic Metro game will be against NSW-ACT on June 9 at Visy Park.
