By JARROD POTTER
THEY got around him in a big way as Beaconsfield wingman Jordan Stewart made the leap up to the TAC Cup.
Featuring as the 23rd man for the Dandenong Stingrays in their supreme triumph over the Western Jets – Stewart, 16, was thrilled to get his first run-around for the south-east’s TAC Cup team.
He snagged a goal in the second term as the Stingrays piled on the pain for the Western Jets en route to a 78-point thumping.
With a goal on debut and getting sprayed with Powerades as the Stingrays sang the song, Stewart was pleased with his first outing.
“Came off my boot a bit bad but I’m still happy with it,” Stewart said after his debut TAC Cup match.
“The first match wasn’t bad – I was pretty nervous but at least it’s out of the way now.”
In his four senior matches at Beaconsfield so far, Stewart featured in the best against Cranbourne, Doveton and Hampton Park – and the humble midfielder is appreciative of all the chances he’s been afforded so far in his short football journey.
“Boofa (Beaconsfield coach Clint Evans) getting me into the seniors was good and I love it – now coming down to the Stingrays and getting my first game out of the way I can’t complain.”
“Like to play on the half-back line trying to run up, but they (Dandenong) gave me a shot up on the wing and having a bit of a run – that was good.”
The 188cm hard-running prospect was scouted early by the Stingrays and who could blame them considering he’s still got plenty of growth to come.
If he does return to Holm Park Reserve, he’s keen to snag a few more goals and continue to push for senior selection at the South East Football League club.
“When I go back to Beacy I probably wouldn’t mind a bit more run down… maybe kick a few goals down forward,” Stewart said.
With the AFL Under-18 National Championships set to take a fair few Dandenong Stingrays out of the reckoning for a few weeks, Stewart remains a good chance to keep his place in the side as the TAC Cup season continues on 30 May.
