For someone who has played only four games, not many have captured the attention of football fans like Braydon Preuss.
At 206 centimetres and 109 kilograms, the North big man stands out, not just with his hulking physique, but also his no-holds-barred attack on the footy.
While he’s lined up for Werribee in recent weeks, Preuss’ teammates are confident his return to AFL action is close.
“He’s playing really good football at VFL level,” Ben Brown said on SEN.
“Big ‘Preussy’ … he’ll at some stage come back in,” Shaun Higgins told RSN Racing & Sport.
“I think everyone loves him, don’t they?”
Preuss performed well against the Cats in Round 2, and was particularly impressive against the Giants the following week in Tasmania.
But with some key big men at North’s disposal, he’s now looking to prove himself again with Werribee.
“Obviously it’s quite difficult to fit two guys, a former All-Australian in Todd Goldstein and a young guy with heaps of potential like big Preussy into the side,” Brown explained.
“Having Jarrad Waite back probably didn’t help his cause either, but he’s plying his trade really well at VFL level and to have a guy like that knocking down the door for a spot, I think he’ll play a few more games this year, definitely.”
Brown is confident Preuss will get more opportunities soon.
“He throws his body on the line and that’s one of the things we love about having him in the team,” he said.
“For a guy who started playing footy when he was 17, his skill level and his marking is something that’s a credit to him that he’s worked so hard on.
“Once we start getting him into the team as a regular, which he will do eventually, the sky’s the limit for him.
“A guy of his size and height has a big future in the game.”