Trent (above) and Luke Cody played senior football together for the first time on Saturday with Trent getting his first opportunity to play for Noble Park. 84208 Pictures: JARROD POTTER
By JARROD POTTER
NOBLE PARK blooded another set of brothers over the weekend, with Trent Cody debuting for the Bulls alongside older brother Luke.
Trent, 17, and Luke, 19, from Narre Warren South, played together for the first time on Saturday for Noble Park in their 24 point loss to Scoresby.
Trent made his senior debut and was listed in the best with 12 possessions from a half forward flank and through the midfield, while Luke kicked a goal in a solid performance up forward.
It was a marked improvement from the last time they played together in a practice match earlier this season, when Trent broke his jaw late in the game.
“Played a senior practice match in the twos this year, first game and in the last few minutes of the game, he broke his jaw and got cleaned up,” Luke said.
“Ever since I’ve been pretty nervous about him playing in the ones with me but he did well.”
Trent didn’t expect to debut this week and was thrilled to get the opportunity and also named in the best for the Bulls.
“Shocked, I thought he (Noble Park coach Mick Fogarty) might wait as I’ve got a school game this week and would only have me in for one game,” Trent said.
“It felt pretty good – playing my first game and being in the best really boosted my confidence.”
Luke’s path into the seniors required him to boost his fitness, but a seven-goal return in the seconds meant the selectors could no longer overlook him and he got his chance in round four against Blackburn.
“I played there (Noble Park) last year and was emergency for the second half of the year in the ones and I just had to work on my fitness to get into the team,” Luke said.
“Same with this year, I played a few games, got my fitness up and one week I kicked seven goals and the week after that was when I played my first senior game and ever since then I’ve kept my spot.”
The brotherly connection works brilliantly on the field as well – with Trent, playing through the midfield, able to hit up Luke, a forward, with natural repetition.
“It’s good fun – I know exactly what he’s going to do with it (the football),” Luke said “I know he’s a smart footballer and a good kick, so I know when to lead and mark off him.”
Trent gets to follow in Luke’s footsteps this week when he runs onto the MCG to play for the Hallam Senior College, just like Luke did last year in Hallam’s 50-point win over Essendon-Keilor College.
