Border Mail |
BRAD Ottens says he is excited by the prospect of playing in the most decorated forward line in country football history today.
Ottens will make his much-anticipated debut for Yarrawonga against North Albury this afternoon and is set to line up alongside a host of former fellow AFL stars in attack.
The Pigeons take 1033 goals’ worth of AFL firepower into the clash, with Ottens joining competition stars Brendan Fevola, Kayne Pettifer, Steve McKee and Craig Ednie at J.C. Lowe Oval.
Ottens, speaking ahead of his first outing with the Pigeons, admitted he was nervous about playing his first game for the year.
“There’s definitely a few nerves,” Ottens said.
“There always is, in any game.
“But I’m excited at the same time.
“It’s been a long time since I played with a few of the guys but it will be good to play with a few familiar faces.”
Ottens dismissed any concerns about his troublesome back and labelled himself a certain starter this afternoon.
The three-time premiership player at Geelong was a shock withdrawal before the Pigeons’ blockbuster against Albury on the Queen’s Birthday weekend.
“I’d been doing a bit of training in the lead-up to the Albury game but my back seized up that week,” Ottens revealed.
“I’ve had a crook back for years and thought I better pull the pin.
“It would have been no good for anybody having me hobbling around.
“But I’m feeling good and really looking forward to this weekend.”
Ottens, who played 245 AFL games, said he wouldn’t underestimate the standard of the Ovens and Murray.
He kicked 41 goals in 14 games for Newtown and Chilwell in the Geelong league last year.
That league sits No.1 in the AFL Victoria Country rankings after an interleague win over the Goulburn Valley in May.
“The level is as good in the country you’ll come across so I need to be up and about,” Ottens said.
“I’m more than aware how good it is and the last thing you want to do is make a fool of yourself.”
Ottens said he was still unsure how many games he would play.
“It sort of all depends on what’s going on with Geelong,” he said.
“The aim is to play a couple here and there.
“We’re pencilling those in at the moment.”
Ottens said Ednie had played the most influential role in getting him to Pigeonland.
“I had a little to do with Drew Barnes when he was in the VFL team here but it was mostly Craig pestering me,” he said.
“He kept telling me how good he was and that I should come up and see for myself.”
