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- LUKE D’ANELLO
- MARIBYRNONG LEADER
- AUGUST 28, 2014 5:32PM
Mitch Jensen is one of the emerging players in Footscray's VFL team.
MITCHELL Jensen was one of four TAC Cup graduates to quietly land at Whitten Oval last summer as Footscray assembled its stand-alone VFL side.
While players from the Western Bulldogs’ AFL list take up the majority of spots in the state league team, the 19-year-old has quickly blossomed.A dependable small defender, Jensen has made 14 appearances for Footscray this season, showcasing his speed, ability to read the play and consistency.Jensen, a product of the Calder Cannons, was invited to training by Bulldogs coach Chris Maple after being overlooked in last year’s national draft.If recruiters had one eye on him last season, both eyes should now be wide open with Maple revealing the 185cm Jensen had exceeded his expectations.
“They (TAC Cup players) are underdeveloped bodies and haven’t been coached much in defence, so those types of areas we had to work pretty hard on, and credit to him — he’s attacked that well and trained hard,” Maple said.“He’s still a very thin, little, underdeveloped body and he’s got a long, long way to go in all that, but we’ve seen some good improvement in him throughout the year.“We probably don’t have an abundance of small backs at the AFL level, which has probably given him a bit more opportunity than other boys, but you’ve got to make the most of your *!opportunities as well, don’t you?
He’s done quite well.”Jensen won the Cannons’ most improved award in 2013 and his stocks continue to head north. He has been named in his side’s best players four times.He found it difficult to nominate his most difficult opponents this season — Williamstown goalsneak Anthony Anastasio was the sole name he mentioned — but that could simply be *!because Jensen has not been beaten often this year.Jensen described his season as “not too bad”, with the Dogs gaining the double-chance for finals.“Getting a game each week is helping,” Jensen said.“I’m reading the play better and knowing where to go, the places to run, and *!defending and attacking at the same time.”Asked where he needed to improve, Jensen echoed the words of his coach.“Put on a bit of weight.
I’m pretty skinny at the moment,” he said.“I need to work on my kicking a little bit more and bulk up a bit.”Jensen was naturally disappointed to be overlooked by AFL clubs, but he is hopeful his luck could turn in *!November after an eye-catching campaign.“I’m still trying to get to the next level,” he said.“Hopefully I can step up if I get a gig this year. If not, I’ll keep trying.
”The former Doutta Stars junior and Niddrie resident is relishing the opportunity to learn from those who have thrived at the top level.Nick Lower and Lukas Markovic are co-captains of the Dogs, while Brent Prismall and Jordan Russell make up the remainder of the leadership group.
“They’ve been a big help. The on-field leadership just helps heaps. If you get a little bit lost there, they’ll pull you straight back into line. At training, they lift the whole group,” Jensen said.“They’ll tell you what to do and where to go if you’re a bit lost.”He also praised Maple, who could be a premiership coach by year’s end.“He’s good. He tells me what to improve on each week and he doesn’t lie about it. He just tells you straight out what you need to work on,” Jensen said.Maple said Jensen was an impressive prospect.“He’s a competitive little fella,” he said.“He’s got a good footy brain, which helps him.”Footscray will start its VFL finals campaign on Sunday against rival Williamstown at Whitten Oval.
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