South Alice Springs and Palmerston star Michaelis McMasters is looking forward to having a crack in the VFL with Coburg
CENTRALIAN wingman Michaelis McMasters admits he does not know a lot about the Melbourne suburb of Coburg
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CENTRALIAN wingman Michaelis McMasters admits he does not know a lot about the Melbourne suburb of Coburg.
But, he knows there is a VFL club there and that is all that matters for the Palmerston and South Alice Springs speedster.
The 18-year-old McMasters is expected to finalise his transfer to the Coburg Lions this week for the upcoming season.
“I am really looking forward to getting down to the club,” McMasters told the NT News.
“It will be great playing in a different style of footy and learning how they play in Victoria too.”
McMasters signed a two-year rookie contract with NT Thunder ahead of last season’s NEAFL campaign but never made an appearance at senior level for the Darwin based club.
Coburg Football Administration Manager Alex Morella said the club was hopeful of coming to an agreement with NT Thunder this week on a transfer for the Centralian star.
Darren Talbot, who has long been a mentor of McMasters and coached him for the past two seasons at the ‘Roos, said being coached by former North Melbourne player Peter German at Coburg would be a positive for the youngster.
“The decision to send Michaelis down south was to ensure him that he has what it takes to become a good footballer,” Talbot said.
“Michaelis will not only be playing high standard football, but will also pursue employment through the club and even look at attending university on a part time basis to obtain a degree for life after footy.
“Michaelis has a very mature approach to what he wants out of his football career and this will be the great asset that will push Michaelis to the highest level in the competition.
“Michaelis gets to venture into a new environment and meet new people and start his campaign of being a leader and not a follower.”
Last NTFL season McMasters was a Darwin Buffaloe but the opportunity to work with the Magpies under fellow South Alice Springs product Shaun Cusack shifted his focused.
He was nominated for the NT News Rising Star award after booting three goals and providing several perfectly weighted hand and foot passes to teammates further down the ground in Round 2.
Coburg are nicknamed the Lions and have previously spent time aligned as a reserve side for the Richmond Football Club from 2001, but as of 2014 has become a stand-alone club in the VFL.