AFL RIVERINA TV – Mick Mattingly & Chris Jackson
Rising Riverina star Mick Mattingly says learning about what it takes to be an AFL footballer is one of the biggest benefits of playing for the NSW/ACT Rams in the TAC Cup.
Back in the competition for the first time in more than a decade, the Rams went down by 29 points in their first game against Dandenong last weekend. Mattingly says the game against the Stingrays was a valuable learning experience.
“About halftime, we were down by only about 5 points, but they come out and they kicked away on us after halftime. But it was pretty close up until halftime. We played pretty good footy up until then.”
The TAC Cup gives footballers from NSW and the ACT the opportunity to test themselves against some of the best under-18s players in the country, as well as put themselves in the shop window for an AFL contract.
Mattingly says the quality of the coaching staff is a massive bonus. Jason Saddington is head coach, with Tadhg Kennelly and Mark McVeigh in assistant roles and their AFL experience is invaluable.
“I think it’s more professionalism. Everyone has the skills to be at that level but it’s more the professionalism that you need to have to be at that level to compete with the best, so they’re teaching us that.”
East Wagga-Kooringal’s Chris Jackson was in the first NSW/ACT Rams squad back in 1996… and was among seven players drafted that year , including Cameron Mooney and Josh Wooden.
“It was tough – obviously living away from home as a 17-year old is pretty tough as it is, so there was some ups and downs there – but other than that it was a fantastic experience that took us on to higher levels of football.”
Chris Jackson and Mick Mattingly are both guests on the AFL Riverina TV Show. For more on their experiences, check out the video at …
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