Uni Blacks Tyson Kruse relishing move from defence to midfield in Victorian Amateur Football Association

TYSON Kruse spent his last year at Southport as a defender, but has quickly stamped himself as the player VAFA coaches want to stop at Uni Blacks.

NEAFL, Southport v Eastlakes at Southport Sharks. Photo of Tyson Kruse tackled by Ben Maiden.

IN THE past year, Tyson Kruse has gone from being a stopper to the player every VAFA Premier Division coach wants to stop.

The Uni Blacks midfielder joined the club from Southport, where he played predominantly as a defender in the North East Australian Football League.

Almost immediately, Uni Blacks coach Cam Roberts identified Kruse had the attributes to transform into a successful midfielder.

Roberts’ faith has helped Kruse become one of the most consistent players in the VAFA this year, a feat recognised by his standing in the Coaches’ MVP award.

Kruse led the voting with St Bernard’s star Tom Sullivan after nine rounds with 35 votes, while teammate Adam Pitt was fourth on 30.

“Up there (Kruse) was used as a defender, often an undersized key defender,” Roberts said.

“He’s got a massive tank and he’s quite explosive.

“He’s about six foot one and we wanted to play him through the midfield, he hadn’t played much through there at all. He’s been a bit of a revelation for us, but I think his best asset is he’s just so competitive.”

Roberts said Pitt had maintained the form that has made him one of the club’s standout performers over the past three seasons.

“For me it’s no real surprise, Pitty has always done really well in our best and fairest votes so I guess it’s nice to be recognised by others,” he said.

Coaches award votes for the best five players from either team after each match.

Uni Blacks produced a resounding win over De La Salle on Saturday, triumphing 21.11 (137) to 7.10 (52) with Kruse named best afield.

In Premier B, Uni Blues defeated Old Haileybury by 39 points, while Richmond Central slipped to eighth in Division 3 after a six-point loss to Emmaus St Leos.