FROM round one in the under-18s against Doveton, 17-year-old Narre Warren midfielder Justin Marriott put his hand up as an exciting young football talent that was ready for the test of senior football.
That test came soon after and Marriott has spent the majority of the 2009 season playing against and matching the competition’s best playmakers, earning himself the sixth and last nomination for the 2009 Gazette Casey Cardinia League Young Gun award.
Justin joins team-mate Nathan Brewster as a 2009 Young Gun nominee and it’s the first time a second player from one club has won a nomination in the same season, confirming the Magpies dedication to its emerging young talent.
He played all his junior football as a midfielder with the Narre North Foxes, rising from under-16s last year and then adapting to the seniors like he had been there for years.
Justin said his rapid elevation was a surprise to everyone including himself.
“I had no idea I’d play seniors whatsoever. I thought I might play Colts and I just wanted to be in the under-18 squad,” he said.
“I played half a practice match against Doncaster (in the seniors) and then played the first game in the under 18s. Matt (Shinners) just asked me the next week if I would like to play seniors and that was it. I didn’t really know anyone, but it’s been great.”
He started at under-11s with the Foxes and played right through.
He was named vice-captain of the under-15s and under-16s and played in a division-two premiership with the under-15s.
He was also runner-up best-and-fairest in both under-15s and under-16s and credited a lot of his success to coach Trevor Callander.
“Trevor was great for me, but probably my dad (Kevin) has been the biggest influence. He’s always supported me and pointed out ways I can improve,” he said.
Most of his football this season has been played as a wingman or in the midfield and he said he used star team-mates Michael Collins and Daniel Borninkhof as his role models, trying to base his game on a combination of theirs.
Justin is enjoying the experience of playing in an emerging young side and said would like to take his football as high as he can.
“If I can get in another year of seniors next year and keep improving, maybe I might go and have a try at the Scorpions. We’ll see,” he said.
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