By Jonty Ralphsmith
Warragul Industrials defender Alixzander Tauru has been added to Vic Country’s squad for the national championships, following strong Coates League form for Gippsland Power.
Tauru has played three excellent games for the Power either side of injury which had him out of action for a month.
The aggressive intercept defender has averaged nine marks in that period, flying for grabs and winning plenty of one-on-one contests.
Tauru played just two games as a bottom-aged player but has long been regarded by the region, given his confidence overhead and 191cm frame which suits itself to the modern game.
“He’s very good overhead,” said Gippsland Talent Lead Scott McDougal.
“His ability to intercept mark and tackle with intent shows how aggressively defensive he is.
“He’s a bona fide competitor – he loves to compete, whether it’s on the ground or in the air.
“His ability to read the play on the smaller, tighter grounds – you don’t want to pop the ball up in the air anywhere near him because he gobbles them up.”
Tauru continued his strong form in Gippsland’s 7.10 52 to 18.9 117 loss to Geelong on Sunday at Shepley Oval, taking eight marks among his 17 disposals.
The Dusties product will add necessary presence to the Vic Country backline and joins fellow Power players Xavier Lindsay and Willem Duursma in the squad.
Vic Country plays its second game on Saturday at 12.30pm against Western Australia at Claremont, with a livestream available via the AFL website.
