Essendon’s rising star Orazio Fantasia has praised Brendon Goddard for the leadership he’s shown this season.
Goddard was appointed Captain earlier this year and has gone on to produce his best disposal (26.8 per game) and tackle (3.7 per game) numbers in five years.
Last Saturday Goddard led a team featuring 13 players with less than 50 games experience.
But Fantasia’s says Goddard’s leadership goes beyond match day.
“If you see what he does inside the four walls of the footy Club, especially with the young guys, he’s a great leader at the footy club,” he said.
Fantasia was last night named the Round 17 nominee for the AFL’s Rising Star award.
It’s Essendon’s second nomination of the season after Darcy Parish was recognised after the Bombers beat Melbourne in round two.
Fantasia also received a nomination last year after starring in defence in the side’s win over Collingwood in round 23.
He began this season in the midfield where he averaged 25 possessions across his first four games.
The 20 year old has since moved forward where he’s booted 21 goals for the season and 11 in the last month.
“I’m just trying to be as consistent as possible but also trying to be versatile, playing down back, in the midfield and up forward,” Fantasia said.
“I like the wing but I don’t mind playing forward as well and kicking a few goals.
“A little bit on the wing and up forward would be ideal for me.”
The Bombers will be looking for their second win of the season when they host Brisbane on Sunday.
The Lions have also won one game, but Fantasia said the side aims to challenge every team they meet, regardless of ladder position.
“The thing that we work on at the Club is to play four quarters of ruthless footy and we’re not quite there yet,” Fantasia said.
“If we play to our structures and the way we’ve been playing I think we’re a red hot chance.
“We’ve played some good footy against teams that are higher on the ladder, so I think we can win more than just two games if we keep playing the way we want to play.”
