Joel Trudgeon continues dominant season, Northern Knights defeat Geelong

Northern Knights captain Joel Trudgeon produces another dominant display, leading to comparisons to a Sydney Swans great.

Joel Trudgeon in action for Northern Knights. Picture: Michael Klein

Northern Knights captain Joel Trudgeon continued his dominant NAB League season on Saturday.

The 185cm, big-bodied midfield collected another 35 disposals as well as 15 tackles, six marks, a goal and 228 SuperCoach points in an eye-catching performance against Geelong Falcons.

The Knights claimed an eight-point win over the Falcons at Preston City Oval to sit third on the ladder.

Trudgeon’s 15 tackles was the fourth time this season he’s finished with double figures, including a 10-tackle effort in his VFL debut for Carlton.

The 19-year-old is averaging 28.8 disposals (sixth most), 10.5 tackles (first) and 190 SuperCoach points (first) a game this season.

Joel Trudgeon in action for Northern Knights. Picture: Steve Tanner

Josh Kennedy in action for Sydney.

Knights coach Leigh Clarke said his skipper had a lot of similar attributes to Sydney co-captain Josh Kennedy.

“We’ll continue to look at the positives, we’re certainly hoping someone sees the value and invests in giving him an opportunity,” Clarke said.

“I think a strong club will be able to bring him in and look at his upside and not let the very small queries interfere with the quality of person he is.

“I was taking to Kevin Sheehan a couple of weeks ago and we both gave to the idea that he was a lot like Sydney’s Josh Kennedy – his physicality around the ball, the way he brings his teammates into the game, his work-rate and his ability to hit the scoreboard.

“Clubs are willing to bring people from other parts of the world and other sports in and they invest years into them, Joel I don’t think would take any time to allay any doubts about him that’s for sure.

“He continues to create conversations about himself, holds himself to high standards of living and play regardless of the noise around him.”

Trudgeon was well supported by Jackson Bowne, Brock Binion, Joel Trudgeon and Angus Sievers in the 8.7 (55) to 6.11 (47) win over the Falcons.

Bowne has found his form after a quiet start to the season, collecting 21 disposals, nine marks, seven tackles and kicking 1.2.

Jackson Bowne in action for Northern Knights. Picture: Michael Klein

The Bundoora junior has responded to the challenge from Clarke to lift his workrate but still needs to work on his finishing in front of goal.

“Bowney’s had a good three to four weeks, we challenged him to raise his work rate and he’s done that in a modified role as a high forward,” Clarke said.

“He led some GPS numbers, which was a real pat on the back, his physicality was really strong with some of his tackling for a small player.

“The polish, that’s his query in the review, just making sure he’s practising his conversation. He’s had multiple opportunities to hit the scoreboard but just isn’t converting at the moment.”

Fitzgerald was an emergency for Vic Metro’s “challenge match” against Vic Country on Friday and continued to bang the door down on Saturday.

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The midfield-defender finished with 27 touches and eight marks for 136 SuperCoach points.

“Joel continues to get his hand on the ball, which is the hardest part of the game,” Clarke said.

“It’s hard when boys are missing out on these selections but our encouragement is to look at the opportunity and he came back and showed his consistency and ability to get the ball in his hands.”

The Knights will have their Vic Metro contingent back for the clash against ladder-leader Sandringham Dragons on Saturday.