Barlow aims for AFL after stellar season
Brent Diamond | September 5, 2009
WERRIBEE TIGERS: Midfielder Michael Barlow has every chance of following in the footsteps last year's Fothergill-Round medallist Robin Nahas after claiming the prestigious award for the best young talent in the competition this week.
Standing at 190 centimetres, the 21-year-old is seen as the hottest property in the VFL given his pace and athleticism in the midfield with an ability to play forward or back.
Despite this, and the fact four of the past five winners have ended up on AFL lists including Nahas (Richmond), Michael Firrito (North Melbourne), Aaron Davey (Melbourne) and Shane Valenti (Melbourne), Barlow isn't confident of being drafted.
"I haven't spoken to any clubs or anything like that yet," Barlow said. ''If I was to be picked up that would be great … it's obviously a dream to play AFL footy,'' he said. "I feel that I have improved a lot under (coach) Simon Atkins. He's given me plenty of confidence."
Barlow is one of up to 15 VFL players being seriously looked at for this year's drafts.
He has taken the competition by storm in his second season in the VFL after oozing class in the Goulburn Valley Football League as a junior where he took out the Morrison Medal for the league's best and fairest playing with Shepparton United.
He trained with St Kilda during the 2007 pre-season.
On arrival at Werribee's Chirnside Park at the start of 2008, Barlow said: "I'll try and play every game but realistically I'll probably look to play 15 games out of 20 and hopefully most of them towards the end of the season. If I have to prove myself early so be it," he said.
Barlow has played to expectations and maybe exceeded them through his ability to average more than 30 disposals a match and also be a matchwinner in front of goal.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/rfnews/barlow-aims-for-afl-after-stellar-season/2009/09/04/1252001247357.html
