MOAMA’S Lachlan Schultz will continue to back his pace as he charges from a wing for the Bendigo Pioneers in Saturday’s TAC Cup football clash with Calder Cannons.
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The Pioneers will be aiming for consecutive wins as they chase their third victory of the season at Epsom-Huntly Reserve.
After being sidelined for the opening round of the season as he recovered from a dislocated shoulder, Schutlz has racked up a dozen games in a row with Bendigo.
His latest game against Western Jets was one of his best of the season.
Schultz set up a lot of attacks through midfield and also worked hard to be in the defensive 50m arc.
“Defensive transition is something I have worked hard to improve all season,” he said.
An on-ball player in a lot of matches for Moama, Schultz said being on a wing threw up a lot of challenges.
His pace was to the fore as he kicked two running goals in Bendigo’s first win of the season against NSW-ACT.
A week later and Schultz was the Pioneers best player against Gippsland Power.
Schultz said the team’s confidence had risen a lot after the win against Western.
“To win a really close and hard-fought game was great for the boys,” Schultz said.
The Pioneers fielded one of the youngest line-ups in club history against Western.
Being prepared to “take the game on” is what Pioneers coach Brett Henderson has urged the players to do all season.
Schultz has used his pace, skill and fierce attack at the contest to be a key player for the Pioneers.
He said one of the biggest challenges in every TAC Cup match was the mix of attack and defence.
“It’s important to attack and put opponents under pressure, but we also have to be aware of defensive transition,” he said ahead of the clash with the Cannons.
The second-year apprentice plumber at Echuca Plumbing has racked up plenty of time on the road travelling to training and matches.
“It’s all worth it,” Schultz said.
“It’s a great chance to play the best footy possible,” he said of the AFL Victoria under-18s competition.
When the TAC Cup has taken breaks this season, Schultz has returned to play for Moama in the Murray Football League’s senior competition.
Murray is fifth on the ladder and eyeing its first finals campaign since the 2012 season.
Saturday’s match between the Bendigo Pioneers and Calder Cannons starts at 1.30pm at Epsom-Huntly Recreation Reserve.