SFNL: Port Melbourne Colts unveil 16-year-old as its latest addition

While some local footballers clock in for pre-season in December, and others in late January, 16-year-old Jonty Robb started his trajectory towards a Port Melbourne Colts senior debut two years ago.

Jonty Robb ahead of his senior debut with the Port Melbourne Colts.

Jonty Robb’s insertion into the Port Melbourne Colts’ senior side was two years in the making.

While some local footballers clock in for pre-season in December, and others in late January, Robb was plying his trade at JL Murphy Reserve two summers ago.

The Colts knew they had a future player in the 16-year-old but wanted to make sure he was ready when called upon.

And that call came two weeks ago when the Colts needed a spark and looked to the in-form Robb.

“He’s always had the ability but at that age he was a bit small so we didn’t even consider him at that time – he was just having a kick,” Colts’ co-coach Justin Taylor said.

“But he developed this year and we saw that he might be able to fit into a role.

“He had a bit of time off from the 16s and then he played in the reserves two weeks ago, I just asked the boys how Jonty went and they said pretty strong.

“We thought let’s get him in, let’s have a look. He had a few touches, kicked a goal … he sold a bit of candy and kicked it from the boundary.”

Jonty Robb (second from the right) is all smiles with his senior teammates. Picture: Darcy Robb

As well as kicking a goal on debut, Robb has been doing the blue-collar stuff too.

He had six one-percenters in his debut match and stuck five tackles in his second game.

Taylor commended Robb for his sponge-like attitude and said it was his excitement for senior footy lifted the rest of the side.

“He lives and breathes footy,” he said.

“Last year when he was 15 he was trying to get any information he could off myself, Cadds (Josh Caddy), Billie Smedts at the time.

“Whether it be clearance work or outside work, he just wants to know everything and then put it into action.

“He’s held himself to a high standard, to be honest, whether it’s early or not he hasn’t looked out of place out there.

“He’s just a ball of enthusiasm, gets around the boys, he doesn’t say a lot but his excitement lifts the rest of us because of how happy he is to be out there.”

Jonty Robb ahead of his senior debut with the Port Melbourne Colts.

Robb has worked on his craft under the experience of Josh Caddy, Billie Smedts, Tom Bellchambers, Michael Hibberd, Chris Deluca and Justin Taylor over the past years.

But Taylor thought the weekend was a telling sign as to who his favourite was.

“He was pretty excited to play with Swanny (Dane Swan) on the weekend, Jonty, I didn’t think so (having a favourite) but he did ask me three or four times if Swanny was playing on the weekend, so I maybe Swanny is his favourite.”