VFL 2018: St Kevin’s forward Billy Kanakis set to make VFL debut with Coburg

LEADING VAFA player and AFL draft roughie Billy Kanakis will make his VFL debut on Saturday when he lines up for Coburg against Werribee.

Billy Kanakis on the go for St Kevin’s. Picture: Hamish Blair

LEADING VAFA player and AFL draft roughie Billy Kanakis will make his VFL debut on Saturday, lining up for Coburg.

The St Kevins midfielder and forward — who leads the Premier section goalkicking with 45 — will play for the Lions against Werribee at the City Oval.

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It will be broadcast by Channel 7.

Coburg general manager Seb Spagnuolo said Kanakis, 24, was attracting interest from AFL clubs as a mature-age prospect.

“We’ve been speaking to Tom Williams (St Kevins coach) and the two clubs have worked out some games Billy will be able to play at VFL level to enhance his draftability, for AFL clubs to be able to assess him against VFL and AFL-listed players,’’ Spagnuolo said.

“That’s the feedback we’ve received about him, and we’re excited to give him an opportunity.’’

Billy Kanakis celebrates last year’s premiership with Steven Salopek. Picture: Chris Eastman/AAP

Spagnuolo said Coburg had for some time been interested in Kanakis, who played in the St Kevin’s premiership last season.

“We’ve always looked at the VAFA Premier division as being full of talent … we did some research about Billy and put some feelers out to AFL clubs and the feedback was overwhelming that they wanted to see him at VFL level. That helped our case to get him over for one, two or three weeks this season.

“He’s obviously a quality player, 24 years of age, experienced and we’d love to have him play VFL next year (if he isn’t drafted).’’

Kanakis, a VAFA representative player, had his 50th senior match for St Kevins earlier this season.

Meanwhile, Spagnuolo confirmed the Lions had nominated young midfielder Marcus Lentini for this year’s VFL Fothergill Round Medal.

The former Northern Knight has collected the most disposals — 420 from 15 matches — in the league this year.

“To be a first-year player from the TAC Cup and hardly on the draft radar in 2017, then to jump in at VFL level and put up big numbers, that’s no mean feat when you think of some of the guns running around at other clubs,’’ Spagnuolo said.

Ahmed Saad, Michael Hartley, Robbie Fox and Luke Ryan have been drafted from Coburg since 2014.