JOEL Grace is the newest member of the exclusive first kick, first goal club.
Making his debut for Ouyen United against Robinvale Euston on Saturday, the 16-year-old was on the end of a “cheap handball” running into an open goal to boot the first major of the match.
The young gun would finish with two goals during the loss, with Sunraysia Daily football writer Nic Vine reporting that Grace used his aerobic capacity to present strongly up the ground and take a number of contested marks.
Grace’s performance earned him the nod as the round 9 Mildura and District Real Estate Rising Star.
The Year 10 Ouyen High School student is the son of Mallee Football League legend Wayne Grace, with the elder playing a key role in the forward line of Ouyen’s premiership team a decade ago.
Grace said it was a relief to kick that opening goal.
“I didn’t want to have gone through a first game and not have done anything,” the teenager said.
“It’s a lot faster than under-16 and under-18 level, and it’s more just a matter of playing your role. I was just told to play how I usually play, and make sure I pushed up and the ground and worked my way back.
“I’m usually more of a midfielder at the under-age level.”
Grace is hopeful of a long stint in the first team.
“Hopefully I’ll stay in there for the rest of the year but I’ll see how it all goes,” he said.
“Just before lockdown ‘Deano’ (co-coach Dean Jardine) came up to me and asked me if I felt ready to play senior footy.
“I’d been training with them the whole way through from pre-season and I felt like I was in some pretty good form.
“Although we lost, the coaches kept it pretty positive afterwards. After getting the first win a few weeks ago maybe the competition stopping halted them a bit.”
Wayne said it was a proud moment to watch his son run out for his old club.
“You sort of think it might come a little more down the track but it was a very proud moment to watch him out there,” he said.
“He’s been playing well with the under-18s and had been training with the seniors.
“The coach approached a little while ago and said he was looking to give him a few games.
“It was a good feeling. His mother did shed a couple of tears.”
As the round 9 Mildura and District Real Estate Rising Star, Grace receives $50 courtesy of Mildura and District Real Estate, 91 Commercial Street, Merbein, and is in the running to be the Mildura and District Real Estate Rising Star of the Year
