A GOAL to be more committed to his football is paying dividends for Kerang teenager, Joshua Nitschke.
The 17-year-old Kerang player made a decision late last season to become more passionate about the pastime, which is leading to greater opportunities.
This was evident last month during the AFL Victoria Community Championship under 18s game between the Central Murray Football League and North Central Football league, when the Kerang Christian College year 11 student kicked nine goals in the CMFNL’s 114-point win.
“I normally play midfield in the Colts, and I had not played forward before the interleague match, so it was a bit of a change,” he said.
“It was just a good experience to have such good players around me.”
It was the second time the Geelong supporter had made the league’s representative side, with the effort earning him best on ground honours.
“I remember training for an interleague side when I was younger, but I was not into my footy then as much as I am now,” he said.
Nitschke began playing football for the Blues’ under 11 side in 2009, working his way up the ranks to debut for the club’s senior side 12 months ago.
This year has seen Nitschke play five games in the back line for the four-time reigning premiers, with the goal to remain in the side during the season.
Adding to Nitschke’s development is his position on the Bendigo Pioneers’ rookie squad list, which can lead to games with the TAC Cup side.
“Hopefully I can get one or two games in the TAC Cup this year before playing more games next year,’ he said.
The teenager hopes these opportunities will lead him to follow in the path of previous Kerang premiership players Troy Davis, Luke Livingston and Jaden McGrath and be drafted to an AFL club.
“Getting drafted would be my maximum goal, but if that does not happen playing VFL sounds good,” he said.
