EDFL 2018: Airport West star Tyson Young to make debut for VFL club Williamstown
One of the EDFL’s best players will make his VFL debut on Saturday, but will his absence hurt his club’s Division 1 premiership ambitions?
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AIRPORT West gun Tyson Young will make his VFL debut for Williamstown on Saturday.
The 20-year-old utility is eligible to represent the Seagulls as their 23rd player for the remainder of the season in what could prove a blow to the Eagles’ Essendon District Football League premiership aspirations.
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Airport West sits on top of the Division 1 ladder with a 7-1-1 record, with Young booting 41 goals from nine games in an eye-catching 2018.
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Rated among the competition’s blue-chip players, he also kicked 44 majors last year and claimed the Hutchison Medal as the best and fairest player in Division 1.
“He can play pretty much anywhere on the ground,” Eagles coach Geoff Maddern said.
“We’ve thrown him behind the ball a number of times and he’s done well back there as well.
“He’s a beautiful kick both sides, a great competitor, gives a contest every time, good pair of hands and he has a crack.”
Young opened the campaign with a 10-goal haul against Taylors Lakes and has kicked bags of eight against Hillside and Oak Park.
He has only managed three goals in his past three matches, with the Eagles losing to Tullamarine and recording a draw against Taylors Lakes in their past two fixtures.
“Every time a player goes out, either through injury or in this case a really positive selection at VFL level, it opens the door for someone to step into that role,” Maddern said.
“We’re very philosophical about it and we’re really pleased for Tyson obviously.
“We lost a couple of players through injury and that’s hurt us through the mids and probably the opportunities have lessened for him (Young).
“We were getting a bunch of forward 50 entries earlier in the season that gave him multiple opportunities.
“That’s the way the season goes. It’s Division 1, and if you expect to play on top of the grass for the whole 16 games with byes, injuries … then you’re crazy.
“Every team will have their ups and downs.”
Airport West will tackle East Keilor in a bumper clash on Saturday, while Williamstown will face rival Port Melbourne.
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