PART of Brad Scott worries about the safety of Kayne Turner.
After arriving at the club at 67kg late last year, Scott joked the Roos latest shock selection was built “more like a jockey” than a senior footballer.
Even at Arden St today, having since put on 8kg, it looked as if a strong wind could blow the 18-year-old utility over.
But wrapped inside the slender body of a Year 12 schoolboy is an iron football will as ferocious and courageous as anyone available on the Roos’ list.
They are qualities, Scott said, that makes his teammates “walk taller”, regardless of the level he is playing at.
“His attack on the footy, and I mean this when I say it, is second to none,” Scott said.
“Your fear for him a little bit because of his light fame but his attack his unbelievable, his speed is terrific and he is a smart footballer as well.
“He puts himself in harms way blithe hasn’t been hurt to this point.”
The Wodonga bolter has “earned his spot”, Scott said, to play Greater Western Sydney tomorrow.
Even if it meant writing him a permission slip to excuse him from school today do he could travel with the team.
“I think if there is a reason to miss school this is a pretty good one,” Scott said.
“Like every side I imagine you look for competitive type plays and guys who attack the ball with ferocity and this sets a bit of an example for the rest of our list.
“We are after genuine competitors and we scoured through our list of available players and Kayne Turner is as competitive as anyone.
“So, we know he is certainly going to attack the contest, but we are not after him to do anything different than what he has been doing in the VFL.
“We think that will add to our AFL team.”
Turner is completing Physical Education and English units as part of his VCE meaning after finishing training on Mondays and Tuesdays and again for a full day on Thursdays, the 18-year-old heads to Maribyrnong Secondary College to hit the books.
“There’s still one more subject to do to get the requirement which will be next year,” Turner told the club’s website.
“I do as much training as I can as long as it doesn’t conflict with school times.”
The former Murray Bushranger has played 12 games mainly through half-forward and the midfield for Werribee in the VFL this season and been named in the best players five times.
“You wouldn’t know about his small frame sometimes when he tackles and the way he puts his body on the line,” development coach Jarred Moore said.
“It’s more of a case of ‘look out’ when ‘The Enforcer’ puts the extra 10 kilos on.
“The tackling is the cornerstone of his game. He smothers a lot, he dives in, puts pressure on, and gets a hand in here and there.”
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