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LEETON product Kurt Aylett has his sights set on finally cracking a Riverina pre-season game for Greater Western Sydney (GWS) in next week’s NAB Cup clash.
The 20-year-old Giants defender has endured a tough run with injury over the past 18 months and cannot wait for Saturday week’s clash with Brisbane Lions at Robertson Oval.
Aylett has been forced to be a bystander in recent trips to Wagga and Albury as he went about his rehabilitation from a knee reconstruction in August 2011.
He was rewarded for his determination when he made his AFL debut against Fremantle in round 17 last year but has an added spring in his step at the moment after completion of his first full pre-season.
GWS coach Kevin Sheedy has already indicated the Riverina-based Giants will play at Robertson Oval against the Lions but Aylett is keen to work as hard as possible over the next week to ensure his selection.
“Every time I’ve been home and the Giants have played in Wagga and Albury I’ve been injured which has been a bit of a shame,” Aylett explained yesterday.
“Hopefully I can get through this week, play some good footy and get selected to play in Wagga.
“Then I can finally get to play in Wagga and run out alongside Jacob (Townsend) and all the other Riverina boys in front of our home crowd.”
Aylett has completed his first full pre-season with the Giants but was kept on a restricted workload as the GWS medical staff ensure the Leeton boy remains injury free.
He has been earmarked as a defender for the Giants and Aylett has enjoyed the challenge of trying to cement a place in the GWS backline.
“With rotations these days you don’t really stay in the one position or on the one opponent for too long,” Aylett said.
“I’ve been working on my game for the past couple of years and that’s primarily been based in defence which is great.
“Like most of the boys at this level you spend all your juniors in the midfield so it’s good to try and add another string to my bow because you need to be able to play everywhere really.
“So that’s what I’ve been focused on and I’m enjoying it.”
Like the majority of his team mates, Aylett is locked in fierce competition with a lot of other extreme young talent to try and cement a position in the developing Giants team.
Aylett is reluctant to set himself any giant goals for the season but admitted he hopes to build on his AFL games tally.
“It’s hard to say because you don’t really know where you sit until you start playing games,” Aylett said.
“It’s very tight for spots and everyone is going to say that they would love to play all 23 games.
“We’re a young side that’s going to have to be managed load-wise so it will be good just to play a handful of games.
“I’d love to think I could play six to eight, or if I could get 10 for the year then that would be a really good season for me personally.
“I don’t want to set my expectations too high, I will play the best I can and try and put my best foot forward.”
Aylett like several other Riverina-bred Giants said he will have plenty of family and friends on hand for Saturday week’s game at Robertson Oval.