The Gunnedah Bulldogs believe Ben Maher has been the standout youngster of the TAFL competition this season and are backing the young gun to take out the TAFL rising star award after recently being nominated.
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Maher debuted for the Bulldogs at home against reigning grand finalists the Tamworth Kangaroos in round two, and made an immediate impact.
According to opposition captain Daniel Johnson, Maher showed at the ripe age of 17 that he was a “star of the future” for the Bulldogs and the competition.
Maher’s explosive speed off the mark was eye-catching in his debut, and whilst he has spent most of the time in his tender 11-game career in the forward pocket, his best performances have come via an entry into the midfield.
This has given an education to more seasoned players on speed out of the contest and toughness at the footy.
Maher was polled by coach Greg Piggott as one of the six best for the side in his debut, and it has been no surprise that Maher has been in the top-six on five other occasions, and twice been Gunnedah’s best on ground.
The 17-year-old has also kicked 23 goals off his deadly accurate left boot on the run, whilst his set shot on goal has improved out of sight throughout the year.
Maher bagged six goals for his best on goal performance against Narrabri in round five on May 21, playing that small forward pocket role, and a week earlier against the Swans he displayed his full talent.
He kicked four goals from the midfield, and time and again he won the clearances for his side with his electric speed out of the centre.
On one occasion he kicked a goal on the run from the 50-metre arc, having won the centre clearance himself.
Maher’s toughness is also a key ingredient to his game, and this was showcased particularly strongly against the Inverell Saints recently.
The Saints battered and bruised the 17-year-old, yet time and again he picked himself up off the ground in a show of physical and mental toughness.
For a 17-year-old with only 10 appearances to his name, it was a performance that pulled the rest of the side home on the day.
To top it off, Maher kicked the clutch goal in the final few minutes of the last quarter to win the match.
Maher is deadly at ground level, yet in this match he added another element to his already vast repertoire as he consistently marked the ball overhead in traffic.
It would be a shock if Maher does not poll well in the Tony Gillies Medal winner.
The 2016 Tony Gillies Medal Count and Presentation Night will be held at the Gunnedah Services and Bowling Club, starting at 7pm Saturday night following the final round.
