SOME young players seem to get a dream ride into AFL ranks. North Melbourne’s Ben Ross is not one of those.
The 19-year-old, who starred for the Kangaroos on Saturday night in just his second AFL match, has already had to overcome his fair share of hurdles to pull on the blue and white jumper.
Despite impressive performances for Gippsland in the TAC Cup and for Vic Country at the Under-18 NAB Championships, Ross was overlooked by all clubs at the National Draft at the end of 2006. In today’s footy, that’s a devastating blow to a youngster.
Ross had to wait nervously until the Pre-Season Draft before being selected by the Kangaroos – after having trained with St Kilda – and then spent the entire 2007 season with North’s then VFL affiliate Tasmania.
Given a chance to show his wares in the NAB Cup earlier this year Ross again impressed, but it wasn’t until round four that he got his chance to debut in the seniors, after shining with Werribee. He was promptly dropped after a six possession game against Melbourne.
The 179-centimetre rover from Bunyip – who drew comparisons with champion teammate Brent Harvey – went back, played well, and regained a senior spot for the crunch game against Port Adelaide.
His 21 possession game got better as the night went on, and a fine last quarter, in which he scored a vital goal and set up another in North’s thrilling two-point win, drew praise from coach Dean Laidley.
Laidley was particularly pleased with the way Ross ran the game out, with that one of the key aspects of the youngster’s game which the club has identified as needing improvement.
“It was a pretty young side that we brought over,” Laidley said after the match. “I was a bit concerned that they may run out of legs, but Rossy – and this is a credit to our strength and conditioning staff – was able to run out the game really well.
“I thought Sam Power, Ben Ross and Daniel Pratt were outstanding in that last quarter, along with (Matt) Campbell and (Daniel) Wells – (we just needed) someone who could break a line and I thought they were able to do that, and penetrate.”
Ross himself was just pleased to be out there.
“I’m stoked,” Ross told kangaroos.com.au after the match. “It was a really good effort by the boys and I was just happy to play a part.
“My first game (against Melbourne) I was pretty disappointed with. But Dean was pretty positive. He just told me to go back to the VFL and perform well. And I did that for a long period of time, and he gave me a chance at winning a spot back.
“I performed a little bit better, but there’s still a lot of room for improvement.
“Honestly, it’s a real thrill to just be in the 22 and around all these boys. I watched a lot of them play while I was growing up, and it’s great to be out there and be a part of it.
“We had a lot to play and we were just going to fight and fight until we got the points. We just never gave in and in the end just hung on.”
The win keeps North Melbourne in the frame for a finals berth, and his performance puts Ross in line for a third game, this time a blockbuster beneath the Friday night lights against Collingwood.
“Hopefully I can hold my spot and if I get the opportunity again that will be a very big game with a lot of people watching,” Ross said. “It’s another very important game for the club, and if I get another chance I’ll look forward to it.”
