All at the Booth Reserve on Saturday would agree with the nomination of 18 year-old Devon Meadows excitement machine Steve McInnes as the first player in line for the 2010 Gazette Casey Cardinia League Young Gun award.

Steve McInnes showed his Hampton Park opponents a clean pair of heels as he continually drove the ball forward in his side’s opening round success, prompting coach Steve O’Brien to predict a big year for his young playmaker.

“He’s got it all, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him develop and go to a higher level,” O’Brien said. “He showed his ability as an under 18 last year, and has improved again over pre-season.”

McInnes played all his junior football with Devon Meadows, starting with the under 11s, and winning three premierships along the way as a half forward flanker.

“I was never in the mix for the best and fairest awards, because I was always the smallest kid in the team. It’s only in the last couple of years that I have sprung up and really developed,” he said.

That development saw him play twelve games in the 2009 seniors as a half back flanker, and McInnes is now among the first names pencilled in on a wing at selection.

He said that all his junior coaches had an influence on him throughout his career to date, but singled out one senior player as his role model.

“Jesse Dehey. He has always supported me, and always pushes me to be a better player,” he said.

“I would like to get into the centre. All good players run through the midfield, and hopefully I can develop enough to do that.”

While more than happy to be playing with his mates at the Panthers, McInnes was not backward in admitting that he wanted to get the most out of his football.

“Yes. I was hoping to maybe have a crack at the VFL, and this year gives me a real chance to develop my body and my skills, and try to impress people and go as high as I can.”