Sturt draft prospect Hugo Munn leaping into league footy while at Mercedes College

He did not expect to make his first Sturt league appearance so soon but Hugo Munn is grabbing SANFL opportunities – and screamers – with both hands. See the video.

HUGO Munn’s 2018 season has been all about opportunity.

The 18-year-old Sturt forward did not expect to be handed his league debut in round one but took it with both hands.

Then he grabbed another chance this month in similar fashion when he used Woodville-West Torrens defender Jake von Bertouch’s back as a springboard for a screamer.

“The whole game he was giving me his back so I just exploited his weakness and jumped up to see what happens and it ended up working in the end,” Munn says.

Hugo Munn takes a spectacular grab in round six. Picture: Tait Schmaal.

“My main goal this year was to play a league game but I really wasn’t expecting it so soon – I thought I would be spending the year in the 18s.”

Munn booted two goals in the Double Blues’ 31-point loss to the Eagles with a performance and mark that would have enhanced his AFL draft chances.

The AIS Academy member also trained with the Crows during pre-season – one of just six SA prospects invited in December to get a taste of life at an AFL club.

Munn says he felt the most comfortable he has at league level in the match against the Eagles, just his third senior appearance.

“I’m obviously coming up against some mature bodies that have 5-10 (kilograms) on me, so that’s tough,” he says.

“That game I definitely felt the most confident ... I have and I think that’s just growing every week.”

Munn, a Year 12 student at Mercedes College, grew up in the Melbourne suburb of Murrumbeena and moved to Adelaide at 13.

He cut his teeth at Unley Jets before making his mark in Sturt’s unsderage squads.

Munn, who stands 197cm, has spent time in defence and the ruck for the Double Blues, but says he is most comfortable at centre half-forward.

Hugo Munn is tackled by Eagles player Chris Hall. Picture: Tait Schmaal.

He hopes to model his game on Taylor Walker and Nick Riewoldt.

Munn is not getting too far ahead of himself when it comes to November’s draft.

But he recognises the hard work he needs to put in this season and has a key motivator.

“Consistency to me is probably the biggest thing this year.

“Putting in a performance each week that makes an impact for whatever team I’m in, whether its 18s, reserves or league.”