CTV> Watch Chris Dawes and John McCarthy discuss their selectionTwo young debutants have been selected into the Collingwood side to take on St Kilda at the MCG on Saturday night with Chris Dawes and John McCarthy named.
CTV spoke exclusively with the boys ahead of their round 19 debut.
“I’m pretty excited,” Dawes said.
“I understand it’s a big game for the club, there has been a bit going on and the season is certainly in the balance. I’m really hoping I can come in and contribute, make an impact and help the boys get a win.”
Dawes was selected as the club’s third pick (28th overall) in the 2006 draft. His growth last year was hindered by a knee reconstruction he had late in 2006.
“It was tough coming in with a knee operation but I worked my way through that to be able to play at the end of last year."
Dawes only experience in the senior side was in the pre-season this year when he played down back. This year in the VFL, he has been playing as a key full forward and is coming off the back of a five goal haul against Geelong in the VFL last weekend.
“I haven’t found out what specific role I will be playing. I have been playing up forward in the VFL and I imagine I will be brought in as another tall option up forward. So hopefully I can affect a few contests, bring the (ball) down to our smaller players, and maybe even get a few goals myself.”
“We (Dawes and McCarthy) spoke about it yesterday afternoon after we both had heard the news. It’s such a big experience. Sharing it together we will know what each other are going through and I think we will look out for each other.”
18 year-old John McCarthy has been in consistent form in the VFL over the last few games and is looking forward to the opportunity. McCarthy had 22 possessions and seven marks in the VFL sides win last week.
“Very excited. I was told yesterday so just looking forward to Saturday night”, McCarthy said.
“I’ll think I will probably end up on the wing. It’s been good in the VFL. They have been testing me out in a lot of different positions I could be playing. They have tried to throw me everywhere I could possibly end up in the AFL”.
