VFL '09
The Age
Saturday June 6, 2009
Saddington grooms next generationNORTHERN BULLANTS: FORMER Carlton and Sydney defender Jason Saddington is grooming the Blues' next generation of defenders who overtook him in the senior team last season, his last in AFL.The 29-year-old Northern Bullants defender said he worked closely with the likes of Mark Austin, Jordan Bannister and Jordan Russell in their quest for senior appearances.Last season, he was one of the men behind the rise of Blues defender Michael Jamieson. "I do try to help out as much as I can and generally just being there, I understand what it's like for these guys who have aspirations of playing senior footy," Saddington said.He won the Bullants' best and fairest last season and has helped shape the team into one of the biggest improvers in the VFL.The fifth-placed Bullants tackle league-leader Williamstown today at Visy Park. "We're looking forward to this week getting our pressure back up and hopefully we can get another win," he said.Saddington rejected a swag of lucrative offers from local football clubs to remain at Cramer Street.Tall optionNORTH BALLARAT: IF A mid-season draft was on the cards, Essendon could have re-drafted North Ballarat ruckman Tristan Cartledge given its ill-fortune with ruckmen this season.The former Essendon and Tigers-listed player, who was drafted by the Bombers in 2002 before being delisted in 2006 with just seven AFL games to his name would be useful for Essendon after the injury run extended to Tom Bellchambers last weekend. He joins David Hille and Jason Laycock on the sidelines.Instead, Cartledge will play his 100th VFL match tomorrow, against the Coburg Tigers at Eastern Oval.The 23-year-old is hoping he can be part of North Ballarat's quest for back-to-back flags in the VFL, given he has never been part of a senior premiership.He was delisted at the end of last season from Richmond after being given a lifeline by Terry Wallace in the 2007 rookie draft.Silvagni milestoneCASEY SCORPIONS: ONE of the VFL's fully fledged defenders, Alex Silvagni, plays his 50th VFL match for the Casey Scorpions today in a crucial match against the Werribee Tigers at home.Silvagni had an outstanding season last year and was unlucky to miss the VFL team of the year.Both teams are desperate for a win, with the Tigers' season hanging in the balance on 2-5.Meanwhile, Collingwood forward Sean Rusling makes his return from a fractured cheekbone in the Magpies' clash with Port Melbourne tomorrow.TODAY'S MATCHES (with tips in capitals): CASEY SCORPIONS v Werribee Tigers, 1.10pm, Casey Fields (ABC TV); Northern Bullants v WILLIAMSTOWN, 2pm, Visy Park; GEELONG v Frankston, 2pm, Skilled Stadium.TOMORROW: NORTH BALLARAT v Coburg Tigers, 2pm, Eastern Oval; Collingwood v PORT MELBOURNE, 2pm, Visy Park.MONDAY: Bendigo Bombers v BOX HILL HAWKS, 2pm, Windy Hill
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