Jezza, you beautyrichmondfc.com.au
By Tony Greenberg | Mon 07 December, 2009Leading Tasmanian football writer, James Bresnehan, believes Richmond’s “smokey” selection in the recent AFL National Draft, Jeromey Webberley, has the necessary attributes to succeed at the game’s highest level.
Webberley, 21, was taken by the Tigers at pick 67 overall in the draft, after an excellent season with Clarence, who won the Tasmanian State Football League premiership.
“Only two years ago, he was playing in the reserves down at Brighton, which is one of the local southern football league clubs. Then, he was convinced to go to Clarence and, from there, he’s just absolutely blossomed,” said Bresnehan, who writes for the ‘Hobart Mercury’.
“He’s a very hard-running, fast half-back, who is great in traffic. He loves to break the lines, is very hard to catch, and can hit a target at full pace . . . his skills are excellent.
“Defensively, “Jezza” is a good minder and his opponents have to work hard to get anything off him. But he’s even more difficult to play on because of his attacking qualities. He’s almost like a half-forward playing half-back.
“Teams down here in the state league placed defensive forwards on him throughout the year in a bid to cut him out of the game and curb his run and influence. But they weren’t able to stop him and he enjoyed a stellar season in the competition, winning the statewide league media award and finishing a close runner-up in the official state league award.
“And, he also managed to kick the winning goal for Clarence in the grand final against Glenorchy. The scores were level deep into time-on in the final quarter, when he produced a brilliant individual effort. He ran down from half-back and ducked, weaved and dodged, before launching a long bomb, which sailed through for the match-winning goal.”
Bresnehan also was full of praise for Webberley’s attitude towards the game . . .
“He’s got a great work ethic and he’s super-fit. Not many players would work harder than Jezza,” Bresnehan said.
“And, he’s very likeable as well - a good, down-to-earth, low-key kind of character, who’s happy to listen and take direction.
“I think he’s a good chance to play 100 games of AFL football at Richmond.”
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