SOUTH Warrnambool recruit Jayden Askew believes his football career will benefit from being thrown in the deep end in his Hampden league debut.
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Askew, 22, lined up for an under siege Roosters’ backline in their season-opener against Warrnambool last weekend.
It was an eye-opener for the former Russells Creek defender.
But Askew believes he and his young South Warrnambool teammates will learn from the 86-point loss to the reigning premier.
Askew, who was named in the Roosters’ best, said it was a tough day which would ultimately hold them in good stead.
“Whenever you got it, you just kicked it out,” he said.
“Hopefully going forward we’ll play a bit better.”
Askew said his role would differ depending on his opponent.
He will either play a shutdown role or try to create from half-back.
His first Hampden league task was to mind Warrnambool swingman Sam Cowling.
“He is a big boy and a good player,” Askew said.
“He was a lot different to who I usually play on.
“In district league you don’t have a player of that quality running around.” Askew moved to South Warrnambool in the off-season, eager to test himself at a higher level.
He has settled in well at Friendly Societies’ Park and envisages a bright future for the Matt Monk-coached side.
“I have absolutely nothing against Creek. I love Creek still but thought I’d have a go,” Askew said.
“I am enjoying it so far. There is a good vibe and because they are young they seem to get along and there are no politics.
“South is a young team and I want to stay and be a part of it.
“They will be a good team going forward. It is going through a development stage and I want to be a part of that when it gets going.”
Monk said the Roosters’ morale remained high and they were ready to make amends for their poor round one effort.
“We have to remember and understand we’ve done a lot of work,” he said.
“We don’t want to get too deflated and go into our shells.”
Monk called on South Warrnambool’s promising juniors to embrace playing senior football, not shy away from it.
“Hopefully a few of our younger boys step up and relish the challenge,” he said.
“If you are selected in the senior side we expect you to be fierce at the football, have a voice and have an impact, otherwise we’ll keep turning the list over until we find them (players).”
Cobden coach Stephen Hammond, who labelled the round two clash a grand final, said the Bombers respected South Warrnambool and expected it to rebound strongly.
“We can’t take it easy,” he said.
“They will have plenty of run with their kids, they are trying things and always having a go.
“If we get through this we might have five or six players to come back. We have 13 unavailable through the senior sides.”