Young Lions rising star Patrick Hislop could be forgiven for pinching himself after a scarcely believable season in the white and navy strip.
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Hislop, 16, toughed it out during last year’s slide to the wooden spoon but has since turned around his fortunes around with a string of stellar performances alongside his fresh-faced team mates.
A teenage utility with plenty of ticker and silky skills across the paddock, Hislop earned nominations for both the Pascoe Cup Player of the Year and Team of the Year as the Lions roared into the top six and backed it up with clutch efforts in Young’s elimination final win over Leeton.
He’s still recovering from the thrill of last weekend’s semi final against Henwood Park but the youngster modestly deflected his personal achievements this season, pointing instead to a strong squad effort.
“I didn’t think I’d get that nomination at all,” Hislop said.
“I honestly hadn’t even considered it and we’ve got so many cracking players in the team that probably could’ve walked into the Team of the Year.
“I thought Brad Galvin’s had a really good year and it was tough seeing him miss out but I guess it’s the same with everyone in the team - they’ve all been so good this year.”
With an average player age of 20 years, one month and seven days, Young have fully embraced their moniker but Hislop believes their youth has worked to their advantage and caught sides off-guard during their breakout season.
“We’ve really surprised the rest of the competition this year,” Hislop said.
“I don’t think a lot of teams were expecting us to go so well after last season.
“Things have definitely changed this year - obviously having a new coach and having that extra year together has been good for us, but I just think everyone’s a bit more experienced now.”
Hislop noted Young’s workrate off the paddock as a major point of improvement and said the squad’s attendance at training had dramatically increased this year.
We’ve really surprised the rest of the competition this year.
- Young Lions star Patrick Hislop
“Numbers at training used to be a real problem and we’d barely get enough for drills.”
“Now, we get to training and there’s almost too many to work with.”
That drive to succeed as a unit has taken the Lions from lowly to lordly this season and Hislop knows what’s achievable when they run out at Equex Centre.
“There’s so much excitement around the club at the moment, especially with the girls getting through to the (Madden Trophy) final.”
“Unfortunate for the boys in third grade not to get through but two out of three isn’t bad given where we were last year.
“It’d be amazing to get up for a win.”
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