VFL: Marcus Lentini produces eye-catching start to Coburg career to win plaudits from coach Leigh Adams

COBURG on-baller Marcus Lentini’s eye-catching start to his VFL career has won glowing praise from coach Leigh Adams.

Coburg VFL midfielder Marcus Lentini snaps for goal against Collingwood. Picture: Jordan Zmood.

COBURG on-baller Marcus Lentini’s eye-catching start to his VFL career has won glowing praise from coach Leigh Adams.

The Northern Knights graduate has flourished since joining the Lions, averaging 25 disposals and five tackles per game to Round 9.

Adams said Lentini, a product of Diamond Creek, had made a seamless transition from the TAC Cup to the state league.

“He’s only a small bloke, but he gets bashed around every week and just keeps getting up, finding the footy and playing his role,” Adams said.

“Couldn’t be happier with the way he’s going at the moment.”

Lentini has been a shining light for Coburg, which remains winless heading into its clash against Essendon on Sunday.

The 19-year-old won 30 disposals against a seasoned Williamstown midfield in Round 5 and backed up that performance with 30 possessions and five tackles against Frankston.

Urged to work on his defensive game, Lentini has been tasked with tagging some of the VFL’s best players in the past month.

Coburg on-baller Marcus Lentini gets a kick away. Picture: Jordan Zmood.

While Richmond’s Sam Lloyd got the better of him, Lentini’s shutdown role on Frankston’s former North Melbourne-listed on-baller Will Fordham impressed Adams.

“He kept him really quiet and managed to get a fair bit of the footy himself,” Adams said.

Adams said AFL clubs would be wise to keep a close eye on Lentini’s progress during the second half of the campaign.

“I think they would have to be having at least a look at him,” he said.

“Probably the only thing that hurts (him) at the moment is he’s really good at everything without excelling.

“He’s not overly quick but he’s quick enough. He probably doesn’t have those athletic attributes that recruiters are looking for at the moment.

“But as a footballer I have no doubt he would be able to adapt to the next level if given the opportunity.”

Forward Sam Lowson and half-back flanker Lochie Dickson have also impressed their first-year coach.

Adams said Dickson was a “really smart footballer”, while Lowson had made a “really solid start to the year”.

Coburg’s clash with Essendon starts at 12pm on Sunday at Windy Hill.