By JARROD POTTER
A GOOD, but sadly short, journey is about to end for Dandenong Stingray Kurt Mutimer.
Mutimer, 18, from Narre Warren North, only has one task left for Vic Country as the representative side picked up win number five to clinch the AFL Under-18 National Championship a week early.
Knocking over South Australia last week by 11 points was the last step necessary for Vic Country to take the title and it managed to achieve the feat with a game in hand – this Thursday’s clash against Western Australia.
The Narre Warren/Dandenong Stingrays footballer really relished the win and put it down to Vic Country’s ability to better ride the bumps and take on the South Australian midfield.
“Coming up against South Australia which is a very good team, I thought as a group we worked well and managed to get a second win against them,” Mutimer said. “It was very contested – especially with both teams having very good on-ballers.
It was good to get a run … especially winning all five games and coming into the last against WA (Western Australia), so it’s been a good carnival.”
The National Championships campaign has proved fruitful for the 185cm, 81kg midfielder – who is able to throw his body around as a ruck-rover just as well as roaming across the wing/half back.
He’s been given that wing assignment for his Vic Country duties and enjoyed the chance.
“It was good to get a run around on the wing,” Mutimer said.
“Been playing there four games now and been playing there just about every game now.
“It’s been good to get a bit of the outside ball and provide that run from the outside and especially winning all five games and coming into the last against WA, it’s been a good carnival.”
Mutimer takes away more than making a name for himself in front of AFL recruiters though – as the mateships from the championship mean the world to him.
“Probably the mateships that have come around, being involved in four out of the five games,” Mutimer said. “We’re a tight knit group and there are a lot of good football players that will come out of this so it’s been a good journey.”
With the Stingrays travelling well and Mutimer frequently starring on the TAC Cup stage, he put it down to the hard yards on the training track before the season – reaping the rewards of a tough time preparing for the biggest football year of his life so far.
I had a solid pre-season and came into this season confident of being consistent with my football and I’ve started that off well,” Mutimer said.
“It’s been great coming into the top-age year and I didn’t really know what to expect – seeing as I only played a couple of games last year.”
“Hopefully the boys can put it together and cap off a couple more wins during the last half of the season and hopefully we’re looking alright coming into finals.”
He’ll return to Dandenong Stingrays football after the championships and also going to be called on for another high-level assignment.
Mutimer’s Hallam Senior College football side – also featuring Dandenong/Vic Country team mates Tommy Glen and Bailey Rice – will take on Essendon Keilor in the SSV Premier grand final next month.
