May 19, 2007
From Bendigo Advertiser
GRANT Weeks endured a frustrating start to his career with the Metricon Bendigo Bombers late last year.
He had surgery on a stress fracture in his left foot early in the club's pre-season, and wasn't able to train properly with his new team-mates until mid-February.
GRANT Weeks endured a frustrating start to his career with the Metricon Bendigo Bombers late last year.
He had surgery on a stress fracture in his left foot early in the club's pre-season, and wasn't able to train properly with his new team-mates until mid-February.
But the strong-marking forward has put those frustrations behind him, and is set to make his VFL senior debut for the Bombers against Frankston tomorrow.
'‘It's good to get an opportunity," said Weeks, who helped run a football clinic for Year Eight students at Eaglehawk Secondary College yesterday.
‘‘It's a relief to get the chance after having surgery at the start of the pre-season - not being able to hit the track with the boys and having to watch training was frustrating.
‘‘It has taken a while to get the body right, but hopefully now I can play some good footy." Weeks joined the Bombers this year after previously playing with the Bendigo Pioneers in the TAC Cup.
He was runner-up to Jarryn Geary in the Pioneers' best and fairest last year, but won the goalkicking on 24.
The 18-year-old from Colbinabbin represented Victoria Country at under-18 level both last year and in 2005, and was considered a chance of being picked up in last year's AFL national draft.
After being overlooked on draft day, Weeks chose to pursue his dream of playing AFL by signing with the Bombers, and is the club's leading goalkicker in the reserves on 12.
But now that Weeks has got his chance in the seniors, he's hoping he won't have too many more opportunities this year to add to his tally of goals in the reserves.
‘‘Knighter (senior coach Matthew Knights) has told me that if I play my role I will stay in the team, so hopefully, I can play well enough to please him and do my part for the team," Weeks said.'‘I'm a bit nervous about this week and it's a big leap from the reserves, so I don't expect too much, just to get a few minutes, see how it goes and hopefully, I can do my bit." Weeks, who will be the seventh player to make his senior debut for the Bombers this season, has been selected in the forward pocket for the clash with the Dolphins at Frankston, which is a must-win match for the Bombers. Bendigo is 11th on the ladder, with a 1-5 record, while the Dolphins are two spots higher on two wins and three losses.
Tomorrow's game starts at 2 pm after the reserves at 11.10 am.
