AF 2014 Profile: Shane Kersten

[Mr.Craig]

Shane Kersten



Geelong 15/3/93 190cm/94kg

2012 VFL Ave: 62.8
2013 VFL Ave: 63.2

2013 Scores: 61, 104, 67, 44, 11, 81, 67, 52, 34, 115, 87, 62, 37

Profile

Originally from South Fremantle, Kersten has had to bide his time in the VFL for the last two seasons as J-Pod, Brown and Walker were favoured over him. Now that Podsiadly is gone, Geelong has made it clear that want Kersten to step up and play "the Gunston role" in 2014 and beyond. Shane has proven goalkicking ability, booting 79.25 in the previous two years and in 2013 he averaged 10.5 disposals, 3.6 marks and 1.6 tackles a game.

The main concern with Kersten's scoring potential is what happens when the goals don't come his way because at the moment he isn't doing enough of the other stuff to put in consistent DT numbers. A change in roles where he pushes further up the ground might increase his disposal count but could negatively impact on his goal scoring so that's a catch 22. You certainly wouldn't want him on the field but as a bench option he is a possibility, depending on who else is available.

Prediction: 57-62

Media

http://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/2013-10-14/kersten-to-debut-in-2014
http://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/2013-10-03/kersten-and-hamling-resign
http://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/2013-09-17/knights-kersten-ready-for-afl
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/afl/geelong-flirts-with-long-bomb-rookie-shane-kersten/story-fnca0u4y-1226716393465

YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kRoT_sDshg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lwg8_zuZKrY

[Nige]

This guy is going to be a freak.

Not sure whether he's gonna be a fantasy pig though.

[Football Factory]

Should get a few games with J.Pod gone, might be fighting it out with Josh Walker ?

[CrowsFan]

For a guy who is only 20 he is a massive unit! Watching the highlights from the prelim match against Williamstown he's got some great ability. That one handed contested mark and then the chase and tackle in the forward 50 show he will be a great player.

I think though he will be much better suited to the SC game as most big forwards are.

[Master Q]

Future gun! Not sure if he is DT relevant though.

[Ricochet]

Just based on his stats he seems too reliant on goals to be a good DT scorer. Hope for an easy opening draw?

[Vinny]

I think he will be a great player but not so much a fantasy one.

[KoopKicka]

FWD bench option for me at this stage. Certainly looks promising.

[Football Factory]

Should get a few games with J.Pod gone, might be fighting it out with Josh Walker ?

Josh Walker has been elevated to senior list.

http://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/2013-10-29/cats-elevate-rookie-pair