By JARROD POTTER
CHALK up another major achievement for football rising star Perry Lewis-Smith.
After an elite end to 2015 – winning an under-17 South East Juniors best-and-fairest, best-on-ground medal and premiership in the same week for his beloved Parkmore Pirates – Lewis-Smith, 17, from Mt Eliza, ramped up his early 2016 form after he earned his TAC Cup debut on Saturday.
Running out for the Sandringham Dragons, Lewis-Smith took position in the back half of the ground against Oakleigh – learning his way around the run-and-carry role of a half-back flanker.
While he’s mostly been a midfielder throughout his junior journey, Lewis-Smith didn’t mind where he was put on the field just as long as he’s out there for the Dragons.
“I was obviously very excited to play my first game – little bit of nerves but I think I really adapted well to the speed of the game at TAC Cup level and thought I did pretty well,” Lewis-Smith said. “They played me through the backline – first time in my life that I’ve ever played there – but I thought I did ok.
“They chucked me in the midfield for the last 10 minutes and I think I did pretty well there as well – was extremely happy as it shows they’ve got faith in me and that all my hard work is paying off.”
Relishing the professional training environment at Trevor Barker Beach Oval, Lewis-Smith has taken to the TAC Cup like a duck to water as he accrued 12 possessions from limited time on ground.
His pre-season form earned him a spot on the list and immediately Lewis-Smith has impressed as he knocked off a 15.9 beep test at the TAC Cup testing day and knocked down the door for senior selection in only the third match of the year.
He was thrilled to earn his place on the Sandringham list and believes the start to the year is only the beginning of what he can achieve in the colours.
“I was over the moon – you never really know what they’re thinking so you’re on edge all the time – but I was very happy that they’ve shown faith in me and were impressed with what I was doing in the pre-season,” Lewis-Smith said.
“I played a couple of practice matches before the season started and was playing really good football and was used to the tempo of the game and adapted really well to that.
“I think I did my best and as the games keep going on I’ll adapt even more and get better each week.”
He’s aged up out of the Parkmore ranks and has now switched across to SFL Division 3 senior club Sandown Cobras, who are directly affiliated with the Pirates.
Lewis-Smith’s Dragons face the Western Jets on Saturday morning.
