GANMAIN-Grong Grong-Matong coach Sam Martyn believes Matt Hamblin can advance to an elite level of the game if he fully commits after his best-on-ground display against Collingullie-Glenfield Park last week.
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Hamblin got plenty of the ball and nailed a career best six goals for good measure in the 71-point win at Crossroads Oval.
He earned the ire of Demons fans after he gestured to them after kicking a goal from a free kick after an incident which saw rival Dusty Rogers placed on report for striking.
The Lions only led narrowly before the third quarter incident, which seemed to spark them and a 12-goals-to-one second half.
Hamblin is part of the GWS Giants Academy program and Martyn, who was once on Adelaide's rookie list, believes he has the skill set to impress the right people.
"He's got so many elite attributes that make him such a quality football player," Martyn said.
"I think clubs would be remiss if they didn't watch him really closely. Hopefully he does get his opportunities with the Giants 19s, and even potentially in the VFL because he wouldn't look out of place at that level, that's for sure."
"I've put it on Matty a bit this year to try and play above that standard. He's certainly showed that today (against Demons), he's got a really good mindset at the moment he's taking into games.
"It's a pleasure to watch him go to work, I'm sure any coach in the RFL would like a Matty Hamblin.
"He had the crowd geeing him on too but I think he likes that attention, it probably motivates him even more to perform."
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Hamblin said he feels the time is right to step up as a key player for the Lions, who have begun the season with three straight wins.
"I've been playing firsts for three years now and I should be trying to step up, and hopefully the team goes alright," he said.
"It's amazing to go 3-0 now and it's been eight years since we've won at Crossroads so it's good to get up.
"I'm still playing Giants games throughout the season as well, hopefully I can get a good crack at it again. It's been good fun this year."
Meanwhile, former Eastlake best and fairest winner Kirk Mahon plans on racking the miles up as he looks to help Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong capitalise on their fast start to the season.
Melbourne-based Mahon, 28, made his Lions debut against Collingullie-Glenfield Park. Despite not playing for a year-and-a-half, the former Canberra Demon showed versatility and touches of class.
"I loved the crowd involvement, it was probably one of the bigger crowds I've played in front of," he said.
"It's probably a more physical game here too, there's some bigger bodies and some more mature guys. I really noticed that compared to Canberra, which was more open and outside footy."
Mahon, who has grandparents living in Wagga, plans to travel for as many games as he can and hopefully set himself up for a finals tilt with the Lions.
"It was good to see the depth we've got. There's enough depth to roll through the mid and we can swap a couple of half-forward flankers through," he said.
"I think that will hold us in good stead for the year, and hopefully we can overrun teams."
The Lions host Leeton-Whitton on Sunday.
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