By Rebecca Mills
Adam Tomlinson is one of a number of young GIANTS players pushing for selection for this Saturday’s game against Collingwood.
Jeremy Cameron, Jonathon Patton, Stephen Coniglio, Devon Smith and Taylor Adams are also pushing for a senior berth this week after missing the road trip to Perth.
A Magpies supporter growing up, Tomlinson has played seven games senior games in 2012 and has put in a number of impressive performances for the NEAFL in recent weeks.
Tomlinson praised the role that a number of Slater & Gordon GIANTS Academy members played in Saturday’s match and said that he was pleased with the result despite going down to Ainslie by 13 points.
“It was pretty good, we only had eight listed players playing and we were able to get within 13 points,” Tomlinson said.
“The top up players that we had did well, some of them have played a handful of games and a few only came in that morning.
“I think adopting the speed of the game would have been hard for them. The Ainslie players were all about 25 so the physicality and bigger bodies would have been hard for them to adapt to as well.”
“We came in to the last quarter knowing that we’d let them kick a few easy goals so our aim was to win that quarter and finish strongly which we did.”
The AIS AFL Academy graduate said that he had learnt a lot so far in 2012 and was looking to cement his place in the senior side for the remainder of the season.
“I’m getting more confident as I go along and hopefully I can get a few more games.
“When we play for UWS I get to move around and kick a few goals and every contest that I go in to I’m pretty confident that I can win.
“The biggest thing that I’ve learnt is being able to play in the midfield. At every stoppage and every contest you’ve got to be switched on and concentrate.
“I’ve played the last few games well in the NEAFL so hopefully I can get back in to the side, play some consistent footy and finish out the year well.
“There are six games to go and I want to play as many as I can.”
Tomlinson, who signed a contract extension until the end of 2015 in July this year, said that he was excited to be a part of such a promising young list and helping to build a positive club culture at the GIANTS.
“It’s great to be a part of something new and it gives me a bit of security. It means that I can settle down, buy a place and enjoy it even more up here,” Tomlinson said.
