Chris York has played a starring role in Belconnen’s unbeaten start to the 2015 AFL Canberra First Grade season, kicking 48 goals in seven games.
By Caden Helmers, AFL Canberra Journalist
The competition’s leading goal-scorer has been named as one of Belconnen’s Best on Ground a staggering six times this season as he enjoys career-best form.
York is quick to credit his teammates for their tireless efforts, believing that their work allows him to get his name on the scoresheet.
“Our forward structure works very well in that we create space whereby everyone is moving, so there is so much space down there. With James [Bennett], Lexie [Bennett] and ‘Rabs’ [Ryan Turnbull] kicking the ball forward, it is so easy as a forward.”
“When those guys are kicking well, I’m kicking goals.”
“[Belconnen coach Jeremy Rowe] always says, ‘We don’t want to win games because we are better [as individuals], we want to win because our structures are better, and our discipline is better’.”
“That is paying off with how we’re all gelling together as a team.”
Following a 70-point drubbing of arch rivals Ainslie in Round 3, star midfielder James Bennett gave York a ringing endorsement, labelling him “clearly a better player than the level that we’re at here”.
So when it was announced that Belconnen would not be re-joining the NEAFL competition in 2015, there was understandably concerns that York might move on in search of greener pastures.
But put simply, that was never an option for the 28 year old.
“Belconnen is just such a great club, so I didn’t want to [leave]. If I was a younger kid, then maybe I would have thought about it, but I didn’t really want to leave.”
“And all my mates stayed at Belconnen, so I didn’t want to not play footy with them.”
“Both the Bennett’s, Rabs, Dom [Bunyan], and myself, all got together and said we don’t really want to play anywhere else without everyone else.”
The West Canberra junior has also enjoyed success at representative level in 2015, kicking eight goals in two outings for AFL Canberra.
York labelled his representative honours as a good experience, and it is one that has arguably laid the platform for an unbelievable start to the season.
“It fills me with a lot of pride, knowing you’re representing your territory with the best footballers that you can be playing with.”
York will be looking to continue his red-hot form this weekend against Ainslie at Alan Ray Oval.
“It’s always good fun playing Ainslie because there is that rivalry, the mutual hatred for each other,” he laughs.
“We didn’t start too well last game [against Ainslie], so we really want to focus on putting a four quarter performance together and hopefully we can have a result similar to last time.”
Last Modified on 26/06/2015 16:45