SAM Conforti has vowed to lead Victoria Country from the front when its AFL Under-16 National Championships campaign kicks into action at IKON Park tomorrow.
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The hard-running Sandhurst midfielder has been named captain of his team and plans on being a man of action.
Conforti admitted he was initially shocked at being named skipper, but was conveying few public nerves in the lead-up to Victoria Country’s opening match against Victoria Metro.
“When they first told me I was lost for words – it’s pretty exciting,” he said.
“It’s a really great opportunity that they have given me and I plan to make the most of it.
“It’ something that I hope will really help my development in football.”
Conforti is the sole Bendigo Pioneers player in the 28-player Victoria Country squad. His team-mates Nathan Kay (Rochester) and Jack Tillig (St Arnaud) are emergencies.
Despite little previous experience as a captain, Conforti believed he would quickly grow into the role.
“The only time I have really been a captain was in my early juniors, when you are 11 or 12 and you go out and flip the coin,” Conforti said.
“I remember being told before training that week and getting all excited and telling all my family.
“But this is something totally different and something I will learn a lot from.”
Conforti was expecting tough initiation against Victoria Metro, which has finished top two at the last two championships.
“They have been on top for the past few years, so it would be nice to knock them off,” he said.
“We’re a pretty tight group; we’ve really come together. There’s a real positive vibe and we’re all buzzing and ready to go.”
The 16-year-old, who is a student at Catherine McAuley College, said his achievements in football would not have been possible without the guidance of many his previous junior coaches.
He pin-pointed his under-12 coach Mick Francis, Matt Smith and inter-league mentor Danny O’Bree among those who had influenced him the most.
Following their clash against Victoria Country, Conforti and his team-mates will travel to Queensland for matches against South Australia on July 9 and reigning champions Western Australia on July 13.
A second Pioneers-affiliated player Jye Caldwell will captain Victoria Country at the under-18 national titles.