bornadog
13-03-2012, 05:31 PM
By Ben Collins for AFL (http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/130578/default.aspx)
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/mmsalih/marko246.jpg
LUKAS Markovic is a popular team man who would never wish ill on anyone, let alone a teammate, but the man they affectionately refer to as 'Marko' is making a strange habit of capitalising on the misfortunes of fellow Bulldogs backmen.
Last year Brian Lake's assorted injury problems thrust Markovic into a key defensive role, with the former Hawthorn rookie making his AFL debut at the ripe old age of 24 and being a serviceable performer in 16 games.
Now he is the player likely to benefit most from the long-term shoulder injury suffered by Tom Williams - and he is determined to once again entrench himself in the Bulldogs' back six.
"It's very unfortunate for Tommy; he's had a very bad run, so I feel really bad for him but … it is another opportunity for someone to step up," Markovic said at Whitten Oval on Tuesday.
"I certainly don’t have that role cemented yet - we've got some good young kids coming through - but I certainly want to put my best foot forward and try to jump in that role … (and) hold down that key position."
The Bulldogs hope the 25-year-old can develop into a self-sacrificing defender like former Collingwood fullback Simon Prestigiacomo - a prospect that excites Markovic.
"If I could be seen as a player of that sort of ilk, then I'd be absolutely rapt," he said.
Markovic says he also has some great role models at Whitten Oval.
"I try and take little bits off Brian [Lake], Tom [Williams], Bob [Murphy] and 'Mozz' [Dale Morris] as well," he said.
"They all chime in with … great tactics of how they can beat their opponent and I try to take a bit off everyone.
"I watch Brian quite a lot - I think his body work underneath the contest is second to none. (I) just try to take a leaf out of his book.
"Also, if I could develop a little bit of Dale Morris in me where I could play on a range of players, I think that would help a lot as well."
On Saturday at Simmonds Stadium in Geelong he could find himself opposed to Tom Hawkins, who was a matchwinner in last year's Grand Final.
"We haven't really looked into the match-ups yet - we're probably more focused on what we're going to be doing and how we want to play - but I'd see myself matching up on someone like that," he said.
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/mmsalih/marko246.jpg
LUKAS Markovic is a popular team man who would never wish ill on anyone, let alone a teammate, but the man they affectionately refer to as 'Marko' is making a strange habit of capitalising on the misfortunes of fellow Bulldogs backmen.
Last year Brian Lake's assorted injury problems thrust Markovic into a key defensive role, with the former Hawthorn rookie making his AFL debut at the ripe old age of 24 and being a serviceable performer in 16 games.
Now he is the player likely to benefit most from the long-term shoulder injury suffered by Tom Williams - and he is determined to once again entrench himself in the Bulldogs' back six.
"It's very unfortunate for Tommy; he's had a very bad run, so I feel really bad for him but … it is another opportunity for someone to step up," Markovic said at Whitten Oval on Tuesday.
"I certainly don’t have that role cemented yet - we've got some good young kids coming through - but I certainly want to put my best foot forward and try to jump in that role … (and) hold down that key position."
The Bulldogs hope the 25-year-old can develop into a self-sacrificing defender like former Collingwood fullback Simon Prestigiacomo - a prospect that excites Markovic.
"If I could be seen as a player of that sort of ilk, then I'd be absolutely rapt," he said.
Markovic says he also has some great role models at Whitten Oval.
"I try and take little bits off Brian [Lake], Tom [Williams], Bob [Murphy] and 'Mozz' [Dale Morris] as well," he said.
"They all chime in with … great tactics of how they can beat their opponent and I try to take a bit off everyone.
"I watch Brian quite a lot - I think his body work underneath the contest is second to none. (I) just try to take a leaf out of his book.
"Also, if I could develop a little bit of Dale Morris in me where I could play on a range of players, I think that would help a lot as well."
On Saturday at Simmonds Stadium in Geelong he could find himself opposed to Tom Hawkins, who was a matchwinner in last year's Grand Final.
"We haven't really looked into the match-ups yet - we're probably more focused on what we're going to be doing and how we want to play - but I'd see myself matching up on someone like that," he said.