Tooradin teenager Blake Batt has made an early impact in his first year of senior football with the Seagulls and is the second player nominated for the ‘2006 Gazette Young Gun’ award.BLAKE Batt is not a household name in football just yet, but if the 19yearold from Tooradin Football Club maintains his development, it won’t be long before the recognition comes.
Batt is the second player to be nominated for the ‘2006 Gazette Young Gun’ award in the CaseyCardinia League.
The athletic youngster has burst onto the scene this year after transferring from Lang Lang in the Ellinbank and District Football League, where he made his way through the ranks to senior level from the under13s.
He was promoted to senior team as a 16yearold and played with his older brother and club stalwart Kurt, before deciding to have a go at the Casey Cardinia League this year.
“I joined Tooradin to better myself and better my football in the higher league,” he said.
“I still have a lot of friends back there, but I have a few mates here and it’s been a good move so far.
“I was aiming to make the seniors, but I wasn’t expecting to go in straight away. I’m just happy to be in there.”
Nicknamed ‘Snake’, Batt has been given several runs with jobs by coach Dan O’Loughlin already this year and has figured in the Seagulls best players on three of five occasions.
He says his preferred position is running off halfback and setting up play further afield.
“I don’t like playing on footballers who sit out like sheepdogs. I’d rather be in among the action,” he said.
Batt credits his father Rod as the biggest influence on his career, together with his other junior coaches and is still adjusting to the MPNFL standard.
“I left Lang Lang to see how far I could go,” he said.
“I’m still trying to get used to this football. It’s a lot different to the EDFL. It’s a lot faster and harder and there are no easy kicks.”
