Collins breaks new ground
Tigers coach bloods TAC Cup youngsters in VFL.
VFL Record - Round 18
Andy Collins’ belief in youth development is well documented, but the Coburg Tigers’ coach took his philosophy to a new level late last month.
Collins introduced James Polkinghorne, a Calder Cannons player, into Coburg’s senior team for the round 16 match.
While the idea was spawned after watching Jack Riewoldt, Mitch Thorp, Tom Hislop and other under-18 players perform well for Tasmania last season, Collins broke new ground for mainland VFL clubs.
Although the rules allow for it, no TAC Cup player had represented a VFL senior side since the competition was revamped in 2000.
Collins, in consultation with Cannons coach David Flood, region manager Chris Gleeson, AFL Victoria
operations manager David Code and VFL general manager Martin Stillman agreed that Polkinghorne
met the criteria.
Gleeson said the topic of playing Cannons players at Coburg was raised before the season started and both clubs were happy to explore it given the right circumstances.
“I know both ‘Collo’ (Andy Collins) and David have been talking about it earnestly for the past six
weeks to see how it could work,” Gleeson said.
And Polkinghorne was not cuddled in his first VFL match, lining up for the first bounce on opponent Troy Makepeace and at one stage playing on St Kilda’s 200-game veteran Andrew Thompson.
According to Collins, Polkinghorne, a member of Vic Metro’s under-18 team, acquitted himself well,
with the coach including a passage of play from Coburg Tigers’ newest player on the club’s weekly highlight reel.
The 18-year-old played approximately two and a half quarters and collected a dozen possessions.
“He did a couple of really special things, and one exceptional play where he took a mark in a contested area, played on immediately, shrugged three tackles and with beautiful poise and balance, hit Brent Hartigan with a left-foot pass,” Collins said.
“It was a genuine highlight that we showed to all the players again on the Monday night. It was a huge benefit not only for Coburg, but also for AFL clubs to see this boy play at this level.
“I just think it is a great idea. I spoke to David Flood about it and he was really enthusiastic. The Calder Cannons have been so supportive of promoting these young guys.”
Collins said the inclusion of Polkinghorne was welcomed by the Coburg players, many of whom had
been colleagues of the youngster at the Cannons. The former Hawk noted that many Coburg players
wished they had been given the opportunity to showcase their talent while playing in the TAC Cup.
“None of them begrudged James the opportunity,” Collins said.
“Hopefully, we are going to see a lot more of it in the VFL.”
Collins has already lived up to his word, playing Mitch Farmer, another Calder Cannon, in the round 17 match against Geelong.
