By JARROD POTTER
“WHAT lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”
This humble mantra, tattooed across the debuting Dandenong defender’s ribs, could not better define Brenton Wells.
Belying his 172cm, 65kg frame – Wells, 17, relished his first chance to step up to the TAC Cup level on Sunday and brought his brand of hard-edged football to the Stingrays.
After impressing for Narre Warren in his South East Football League senior debut last week, Wells received his next call up on Tuesday night as the Stingrays told him to get ready for TAC Cup football.
He had to wait for his chance until round 14, but once the Stingrays’ 23rd man sprung off the bench onto Preston City Oval, there was nothing to stop the dogged defender latching onto the Knights’ forwards.
Taking to the half-back line like it was any other outing in his football career, and not the first time making the step up to the TAC Cup, Wells slammed into anyone that crossed his path as one of a fleet of hard-tackling Stingrays.
His tackling negated a lot of Northern forays and his rebounding efforts were just as promising.
While spectators scurried for shelter when the skies opened, the rain and hail only seemed to power up Wells’ endeavours as he fought through to set up rebound-50s and keep the Knights at bay in Dandenong’s 18-point triumph. After copping the traditional Powerade shower as the Stingrays sung the song, Wells was thrilled to make his way in the premier junior league and was keen to keep his place in the line-up.
“Walking in there I was pretty nervous, but as the game opened up it turned back to a local normal game,” Wells said. “It was good – a lot quicker and they were a fair bit harder bodies, but it was great to get in there.”
It’s been a sensational 2015 football season for the defensive dynamo, who loved the close knit nature of the Stingrays and everything this year has had to offer.
“Just the spirit – the team, everyone is so close, and such a good atmosphere out there – can’t even explain it,” Wells said. “I’m loving this year – this is just pretty much the starter for me which is great, so hopefully it keeps going.”
Dandenong’s stand-in coach Wayne Siekman said the Narre natural made the most of the opportunity and showed he was more than capable at the next level.
“Seeing Wellsy have his first game – he had a few nerves, but came out and did a couple of really good things and he’s hard and tough at the footy,” Siekman said.
Wells will hope to keep his place in the side when Dandenong faces Sandringham on Sunday morning at Frankston’s VFL Oval.
