As youngsters are introduced to an AFL list, they’ll often play in a variety of roles to fast-track their development.
For Declan Mountford, this meant playing as a tagger in the VFL last Saturday.
“It was a bit of a different role this week. I went in and played on (George) Horlin-Smith, who’s played a few AFL games,” Mountford explained to NMFC.com.au.
“This was the first time I’d tagged in a whole game for Werribee, I’d done it once for State (WA) before.”
Mountford excelled in the role despite a lopsided scoreboard. Even though Geelong was on top all afternoon, Horlin-Smith only managed 18 disposals and moved forward late.
“Werribee generally likes to play with a tagger so they thought it’d be a good job for me and suiting my attributes,” Mountford said.
“It’s good for my development, seeing good players and how they go around the ground and get touches.
“I learned a lot from the game, and Horlin-Smith is a good player.”
Not dropping his head even when the game was out of hand from an early stage impressed the coaching staff.
“It’s a reflection on Dec’s character that he kept plugging away and stuck to the task,” North development manager Ben Dyer said.
“He doesn’t always need a lot of extra encouragement because he’s so determined in the way he goes about it.
“His determination underpins everything he does.”
The 19-year-old was still able to win his own ball to go with his six tackles and defensive effort, which was a key focus heading into the match at Simonds Stadium.
“I was just trying to be aggressive on him and try to limit his influence. I knew going in he was good around stoppages so that’s where most of it was about,” Mountford said.
“Generally I was fit enough to keep up with him around the rest of the ground.
“Trying to find my own ball was also part of my focus, and working as hard as I can after I’ve limited his influence.”
Mountford’s form in recent weeks has seen the West Australian edging closer to a senior debut, named as an emergency for the Round 17 meeting against Port Adelaide.
Now with seemingly another string to his bow, a first AFL game could be within his grasp.
