Promising youngster Harrison Wigg credits gun teammate Rory Sloane in helping fast-track his transition into the midfield this season.
Wigg was named South Australia’s most valuable player in the National Under-18 Championships in his draft year playing as a damaging rebounding defender. He was a consistent performer in the role last year with Adelaide’s SANFL side, but was also released on a wing at times as part of his development.
With a full pre-season under his belt and a few added kilograms of muscle, Wigg has since transformed himself into a strong contested ball-winner with the SANFL Crows. He’s averaging 20 disposals, seven contested possessions and three clearances a game in just his second season of senior football.
The 19-year-old said he had learned a lot from Adelaide’s 2013 Club Champion.
“I’ve worked really closely with Rory Sloane. He’s been my mentor and he’s helped me a lot,” Wigg said.
“I’ve watched a lot of his vision and asked a lot of questions about what he does and where he runs. He’s given up a lot of his own time to help me improve my game.
“He’s been a massive influence in my transition into the midfield this year.”
Wigg, who played as a midfielder as a junior with Prince Alfred College and also North Adelaide before he was drafted to the Crows, said he’s enjoyed the freedom of playing further up the ground this season.
“I’m loving it. I think it suits my ability to use my run and long kick,” he said.
“It’s great being up around the ball and always being involved, rather than sometimes getting stuck standing an opponent down back.
“I don’t mind playing in defence if that’s where the team needs me, but midfield is definitely where I see myself playing my best footy.”
The midfield battle was immense in Saturday’s SANFL clash with Sturt at Peter Motley Oval. Wigg, Brad Crouch, David Mackay, Cam Ellis-Yolmen and Mitch Grigg battled against proven Double Blues ball-winners Zane Kirkwood, Aidan Riley, James Battersby and Matthew Crocker in a seesawing contest.
Often giving up several years of league experience to his direct opponent, Wigg fought gallantly to collect a career-best 27 possessions, including four marks and three inside 50ms.
It wasn’t enough in the end, as Sturt surged home late to claim a 10-point victory and extend its winning run to seven consecutive matches.
“They had some really big, inside bulls in the midfield today,” Wigg said.
“I thought we did pretty well for most of the day with that inside battle, but we just lost our way a bit in that last quarter. They managed to get ahead of us and control the footy and we couldn’t stop it.
“It’s disappointing with the loss, but I can’t doubt the boys’ effort. We tried hard all day but just weren’t good enough in the end.”
The in-form left-footer served as Adelaide’s travelling emergency for the team’s trip to Metricon Stadium against Gold Coast a few weeks ago. It was deserved recognition from the Crows coaching panel as Wigg continues to chase an AFL debut.
“It was a really good experience for me as the travelling emergency to give a bit of an insight in how the boys prepare for those games interstate,” he said.
“I don’t really know how far away I am from a debut, it’s hard to say. The AFL boys are in good form at the moment.
“I’ve just got to keep my head down and improving my game where I can, and we’ll see.”
