Roosters, Rebels prospect vying to dazzle recruiters in Cats debut

WORKING HARD: South Warrnambool prospect Marcus Herbert is keen to impress AFL recruiters in his Geelong VFL debut. Picture: Morgan Hancock

MARCUS Herbert is keen to show recruiters just what he can offer.

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The South Warrnambool prospect, who is also listed at NAB League club Greater Western Victoria Rebels, will play for Geelong's Victorian Football League side in a one-off fixture against the AFL Academy on Saturday.

The match is a curtain-raiser for the Cats' AFL clash against West Coast at Kardinia Park.

The AFL Academy side will feature some of the nation's brightest draft prospects - including potential number one pick Nick Daicos - and is sure to the capture the attention of scouts.

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Herbert, 18, said he hoped to impress in his first hit-out for the Shane O'Bree-coached side.

"It's unreal. I guess there is a bit of a spotlight (on the VFL) and I'm keen to get going and hopefully play to the standard," he said.

"There will be a fair few hot prospects and while I personally enjoy playing on the older bodies, it'll definitely be something different as most of the (AFL Academy) boys will be a year younger than me.

"There will be great visibility to clubs."

DETERMINED: Marcus Herbert wants to play AFL in the future. Picture: Mark Witte

Speed and endurance are two areas Herbert is keen to highlight as he works to dazzle recruiters.

"It's really about the fitness side of things, being able to show your strength and show you can get away from a pack," he said.

"Things like being able to outrun an opponent. But that speed to break free, that'll be one of the main things."

Herbert, who still lives and works in Warrnambool, travels to Ballarat on Tuesdays and Geelong weekly for training.

He said reaching the elite level remained his focus.

"That's one hundred per cent still the goal," Herbert said.

"If that doesn't work out this year, I could potentially play VFL and maybe give a Geelong-based club a go or come back and play at South."

The match will begin at 10.10am, while the AFL fixture afterwards is set to begin at 1.45pm.

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