Terang Mortlake footballer Isaac Wareham to make TAC Cup debut on Saturday

Terang Mortlake endurance specialist Isaac Wareham was named as the Rebels’ 23^rd man for their clash against Calder Cannons.

Greater Western Victoria Rebels talent manager Phil Partington said he was excited to call Bloods coach Michael Sargeant to tell him the news.

“I spoke to ‘Sarge’ yesterday to let him know and he was over the moon,” he said.

“I said ‘mate, you know why I am calling?’ and he said ‘I’ve got an idea’.

“And I said ‘I’m going to play him’ and he goes ‘fantastic, Parto, outstanding’.

“Just the joy from Sarge hearing one of his young players is going to make his debut that put a smile on my face too.”

Partington said Wareham, who is also a talented cricketer, had potential in spades.

“He is only a young boy – he was born on the 24th of December 2001, so he’s our youngest player,’ he said.

“We know there’s a lot of development left in him so we’re giving him a taste as a 23rd player.

“He’ll probably be an outside player to start off with and play those roles where he can get comfortable on the ground. His high-end running is where we’ll get some good metre-age out of him by his possessions and we’ll encourage him to run and take the game on.”

Sargeant said the Bloods wanted to see their juniors go on an play at higher levels.

“We are rapt for him. We thought it might potentially happen a week or two before but it’s a hard program to get into and he’s done a really good job,” he said. “Hopefully he acquits himself well, holds his spot for the rest of the year and sets himself for a big year next year.”

Sargeant echoed Partington’s sentiments about Wareham’s running.

“He has a massive tank and makes a lot of contests and holds his own against men,” he said.