By Chris Chick
The Western Region Football League is a great breeding ground for future AFL stars, and currently there are two local lads who are making a bit of a name for themselves after playing in the National Under 18 Championships a few weeks ago.
Spotswood’s Connor Menandue and Hoppers Crossing’s Dillon Viojo-Rainbow are the two boys I speak of, both are regular fixtures in the Western Jets squad each week who’s performances there have enabled them to be selected for the AFL Vic Metro Under 18 team.
Menandue, who turns 18 in September, says that he really enjoyed the professionalism and training standard that being a part of the representative squad allowed him to experience.
“It was really good to be part of a group with such high class, and then in games having less time than normal was a great experience.”
Starting his junior career with the Spotswood Football Club, Menandue began his journey to the Western Jets when he was selected in the Under 16s Interleague side. Voted the best player during the carnival for his team, Menandue earned a spot with the Western Jets where his career has flourished.
Western Jets’ Football Operations Manager Jordan Doyle says that Menandue has had a very consistent year with the Jets.
“Connor had a particularly strong start in the early games where his run off half back was pivotal for the side.
“Connor has moved up to the wing and has also played on ball recently and has had some big games numbers wise and has also hit the scoreboard.
“He was able to kick four goals against Northern and also had over 30 disposals and kicked the match winner against Eastern in two really big wins for our club.”
Connor’s best game during the representative carnival came against Vic Country at Simonds Stadium, where despite the loss, he had 15 touches and eight tackles while going at 87 per cent efficiency with his disposal.
He has played mainly half back, but of recent weeks moved into wing/midfield where he has had those standout performances Doyle spoke of.
Viojo-Rainbow, who turns 18 in August, has also had a very good year with the Western Jets, with a switch to half back benefiting him greatly, enabling him to be part of the Vic Metro squad as well.
Doyle says that switch to half back has made a huge difference to Viojo-Rainbow this season.
“Dillon started the year at half forward and on the wing but his move to half back around round 4 proved to be a great success where we could use his major asset which is his left foot to set up a lot of our attack from the defensive 50.
“Dillon’s decision making and kicking efficiency down back is what really sets him apart from the rest.”
Whilst representing Vic Metro, Viojo-Rainbow’s best game came away from home over at AAMI Stadium where he showed that he could match it with the best juniors in the country, picking up 21 touches at 81 per cent efficiency, playing a total of five out of the six Championship games for Metro.
Since the 11.13 (79) to 10.10 (70) grand final defeat to South Australia earlier this month, it’s back to the Jets for these two future stars, where they hope to continue the form they have shown all year in order to give them the best hope come draft day, where I’m sure I can speak for everyone from the WRFL in wishing them all the best.
Follow Chris on Twitter @chrischick24
Last Modified on 24/07/2014 10:05