IRYMPLE’S Alex Hollingworth aims to spoil the title hopes of his opposition, as the 16-year-old prepares for his first senior finals series after establishing a role as a disruptive defender.
Hollingworth, who debuted in round 8 against Imperials, said he had been buoyed his first up game and had been trying to reproduce that performance in his eight appearances since.
“I definitely felt the pressure of my first game,” Hollingworth said. “I was getting a bit nervous, a bit sick in the belly. I performed pretty well, and I felt I could perform every week at that standard.”
The 188cm defender, who also plays premier league with Mildura Hawks, said basketball helped him develop ball skills and on-field awareness to spoil attacks and help Irymple rebound from the backline.
“I feel like playing basketball, you definitely get ball handling and stuff into the game and peripheral vision.
“(It helps) getting those outlet handballs off and you can have players run off and around to kick the ball out of the forward line and take the pressure off.”
Hollingworth, the son of former Irymple premiership player Craig, has been named as one of Irymple’s best in four out of his eight matches and said his development had benefited from the Bendigo Pioneers program.
He said he also drew inspiration from his grandfather and former Richmond player Daryl Cumming, who played as a rover in the Tigers’ premiership wins in 1973 and 1974.
“We’re kind of different players. He’s a small forward, but he’s definitely taught me a lot. Paul Geister, my juniors coach, he’s really helped me develop, too.”
Hollingworth, who has played in one junior finals game, said he was excited about his senior finals debut.
“I’ve definitely heard that finals footy is a higher standard. I feel pretty excited knowing we’ve got a good side coming in.”
As the round 17 SFNL Rising Star, Hollingworth receives $50 courtesy of Mildura and District Real Estate, 91 Commercial Street, Merbein
– By Pathi Raj
