Pakenham youngster John Atwell has quickly developed a reputation of ‘getting through traffic’ as well as anyone at the Lions. He is the fourth player nominated for the ‘2006 Gazette Young Gun’ award.WHEN your nickname among teammates is ‘Smooth’ there has to be something special about the way you play football.
Pakenham players and officials agree that is the case with 19yearold wingman John Atwell and his sublime ability to move through heavy onground traffic has earned him both the mantle and the fourth nomination for the ‘2006 Gazette Young Gun’ award.
The young Lion played a handful of games in 2005, but is in his first senior season after starting with the club’s under 11s and making his way into the team via last year’s under 18s.
Pakenham coach Michael Holland and chairman of selectors Joe Lenders rate the laidback youngster highly and he has hit peak form after a slow start to the year thanks to a bout of Osteitis Pubis.
John started his early football with Beaconsfield, but resides in Pakenham and joined the Lions under11 side when the club formed.
He worked his way through the juniors despite a foot problem early in his development and has now developed into an exciting senior prospect.
He played in a variety of positions from halfback to onball in his formative years, but has made the Toomuc Reserve wing his own in recent weeks.
The apprentice plumber cited his father Neil as the main influence on his career, along with his coaches.
He added that while he is happy to be playing with a group of mates including Cory Lenders and Daniel Fry that have progressed to the senior ranks with him, he would likely take the chance to play at a higher level if it was presented.
“I’d like to take my footy as far as I can possibly go. If an offer came up to go to a higher level I would look at it for sure,” he said.
“I like it at Pakenham, they’re all good blokes down there. I’m happy to play anywhere and I enjoy the challenge.”
John is still improving his fitness after missing most of the preseason and is excited about the club’s prospects after a great start to the season.
