The reason? Levi Greenwood.
“I think I’m going to get Levi (Greenwood) tomorrow,” he told NMFC.com.au about his likely match-up.
“Levi’s a very good run-with player so I know I’m going to have my hands full playing on him. We both want each other to do well but realistically we both want to win, so we’re going to be professional about it and try get our teams over the line.
“We’re really good mates but for those two hours, we need to be professional about what we’re doing, you can’t look to each other as teammates, you’re enemies pretty much.”
Anthony believes tomorrow’s match at Eureka Stadium will be a great display of North Melbourne’s talented list.
“It’s going to be brilliant...the Kangas are playing at the same time so I’m not sure how many of our supporters will be watching but it’s definitely going to be a showcase of the young kids coming through.
“There will be some fantastic match-ups for people to have a look at which is pretty exciting. Especially the two ruckmen (Daniel Currie and Ben Mabon) going head to head and Luke Delaney probably on Majak (Daw).
“It is a bit of fun too, a few laughs and banter but obviously we play to win for our respective sides and that’s the most important thing.”
But that’s where the laughter stops for Anthony who provided a brutally honest assessment of his 2013 season so far.
“I’ve probably had a frustrating year...in terms of my five years on the list this has probably been my worst in terms of games played,” Anthony said.
“I feel like I’m getting some reasonable touch back in the VFL but I know what I have to do to get back into the senior side. Hopefully tomorrow I can take a step forward in doing that and showing the senior coaches that I want the call up and if they give me the call up I can perform the role they want.”
Anthony continues to string together best-on-ground performances for North Ballarat each week, but the 25-year old isn’t completely satisfied staying where he is and his striving to get back to his best.
“It is always good to play good footy because that’s the only way you’re going to get back into the AFL.
“Truth be told, if you’re on an AFL list you’re not there to play VFL you’re there to play AFL. When us boys do go back to VFL you’re realistically aiming to play well and be the stand-outs in that competition because you’re a full-time AFL athlete so you should be aiming to play at that standard.”
Anthony will be joined by Ben Jacobs, Taylor Garner, Luke Delaney, Ben Mabon, Cam Richardson and Mitch Wilkins for North Ballarat.
Jordan Gysberts, Daniel Currie, Michael Firrito, Levi Greenwood, Scott McMahon, Ayden Kennedy, Will Sierakowski, Majak Daw and Tim McGenniss will run out for Werribee.
North Ballarat V Werribee
1.10pm, Eureka Stadium Ballarat
(ABC broadcast from 1.00pm)
