Matthew Knights today predicted rapidly improving young-gun Kyle Reimers would develop into a 10-year player because, technically, his football skills are very sound.
Speaking to the media with Reimers following his Rising Star nomination, Knights said the 16 gamer also has the confidence and will to learn to succeed.
“He is a very refreshing young man to coach, he loves his football he is his own person and I really enjoy coaching him,” Knights said.
“He is our second Rising Star nomination this year (Bachar Houli was the first in Round 1) and he was taken with pick 47 in 2006 so it is a pretty good effort I think.
“He shows good support for his team-mates. We want our young blokes to take players on and show no fear.”
Reimers said he was surprised to learn he had been nominated.
“It was a bit of a shock, I wasn’t really expecting it but it was great news to hear and I am really honored to get the nomination,” he said.
Reimers said he was not concerned by the interest in his orange boots saying he has worn different colored boots for most of his playing career including a silver pair while playing under 16’s.
He admitted opposition players regularly sledge him but says its water off a duck’s back.
“The best one was when someone said ‘you are are as ugly as your boots’,” he said smiling.
In an earlier interview Reimers said his current boots were chosen because of the support they provided for an injured foot and only came in orange, black and red.
The former junior WA basketball representative also said Adam McPhee and Jay Nash were the two players that had helped him most at the club. He said living with WA players David Myers and Tayte Pears this year has helped him get over his home-sickness.
To watch the media conference on Bomber.tv click here
Knights today also said he would support a rule change for rushed behinds following Joel Bowden’s smart play in the dying seconds of Saturday’s clash with Richmond.
He said Essendon players should have kicked goals when they had the chance and won the game but that rushed behinds could be an area for a rule change.
“Potentially there could be extra points for rushed behinds or, if you rush a behind from a kick in, you go to a ball up or bounce down at the top of the square like there has been an infringement,” he said.
Knights said he was open to the idea of the interchange bench being extended by one player but said he wasn’t a strong supporter of change.
“I am not into worrying too much about whether it (having players injured in a game) will cost you this or cost you that .. too end all the talk, if the AFL is going to make a decision make it 23 (players per team) and be done with it or just forget about it. I don’t really have an issue with it.”
He said football is ""war of attrition” and injuries during a game is part of the sport.
