Dockers Debut

By Matt Malone
Updated November 7 2012 - 11:54am, first published July 9 2009 - 11:31pm

AFLBy Matt Malonemmalone@dailyadvertiser.com.auTALENTED Narrandera teenager Tim Ruffles will make his AFL debut for Fremantle tomorrow night against Adelaide at AAMI Stadium.Just nine months after being drafted to the Dockers, Ruffles will be rewarded with a senior AFL game after starring for Perth in the West Australian Football League (WAFL).The 18-year-old becomes the second Riverina product to make his AFL debut this year, following in the footsteps of Matt Suckling at Hawthorn.Ruffles has always been destined for bigger things after making his first-grade debut for Narrandera as a 15-year-old. He has since followed a meteoric rise to AFL level.Tim's parents Tony and Sue along with sister Hayley will make the trip to Adelaide today for the big occasion.His father Tony said it was a moment they had all been waiting for."He's definitely playing, I spoke to him last night and he's pretty excited," he said."He's pretty level-headed and he's keeping his feet on the ground but we're certainly all very proud of him."I don't think it will hit me though until he runs out on the ground."We're all looking forward to it."Ruffles was a standout performer for North Ballarat at under 18 level in the TAC Cup last year after moving to Victoria for school.He also played for NSW-ACT at the under 18 national championships where he was then taken at selection 68 in the national draft by Fremantle.It has been an up-and-down year so far for Ruffles, who earlier in the year was badly knocked out and forced to miss a month of footy.But the Riverina teen has been quick to bounce back, starring for Perth over the past five weeks, including one five-goal haul.His father Tony said Tim's debut was a result of hard work and dedication."He's worked really hard for this," Tony said."He's put on six or seven kilos since he moved over there and he's started to play really good footy in the Western Australian footy league."Ruffles has been informed by Dockers coach Mark Harvey that he will rotate between the wing and a forward pocket.Ruffles will be the 10th debutant for Fremantle this year. DOCKER DEBUT: Narrandera's Tim Ruffles will make his AFL debut when Fremantle takes on Adelaide at AAMI Stadium tomorrow night.

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