After playing 12 games in his debut season and named the club’s Rising Star of 2020, you could be forgiven for thinking Lachie Ash was cruising into his second season.
But this couldn’t be further from the truth with the humble defender driven to take his game up a notch amongst a new-look backline in 2021.
With experienced heads Heath Shaw, Aidan Corr and Zac Williams moving on in recent months, Ash knows that there will be competition for spots and an opportunity for a new breed to make their mark on the group.
“Obviously it was disappointing last year, as we know we didn’t make finals which we wanted to so we’re really looking to build on that and hopefully play finals this year with a new backline group and a lot of fresh faces,” said Ash.
“There were a few wiser heads leaving the group and it’s been a breath of fresh air to be honest with guys like Haynes (Joint Kevin Sheedy Medallist Nick Haynes) leading the back six and I’m just looking to do what I can and play my role.”
The lightning quick defender says there will be a different dynamic in the backline this year with plenty of focus on ball movement across the condensed pre-season.
“With ‘Shawry’, ‘Zaccy’ and ‘Whitters’ (Joint Kevin Sheedy Medallist Lachie Whitfield) there last year, we were all competing for those same spots whereas it’s opened up a little bit this year so it’s made me a little bit more hungry knowing that there is a spot there and it’s up to me to grab it. Last year I was probably on the back foot a bit knowing I was next in the queue but now it is my opportunity to take my spot and make it mine for the year.”
Despite the departure of some highly-rated players, Ash believes selection headaches will be the norm this year.
“It’s really exciting and with ‘Wehry’ (South Australian draftee Jacob Wehr) coming onto the list and it’s just another player to compete with along with ‘Cheese’ (Isaac Cumming), Reid (Sam Reid) and ‘Kenners’ (Adam Kennedy) so there is still a lot of good players down there and it makes training so much better when you know you’re competing for spots.”
With the recent draftees settling into their new surrounds at GIANTS HQ, the 19-year old is pinching himself about how quickly his time in orange has flown by since relocating from Shepparton in country Victoria to Western Sydney.
Only 12 months ago, he was one of the first year players being eased through training but now the shackles have been taken off for those entering their second year on the list.
“You see the first year boys being pulled out of stuff and you get a bit jealous to be honest but it’s been really good,” said Ash with a wry smile on his face.
“’Greeny’ (Tom Green) is in really good shape, ‘Ricca’s’ (Jake Riccardi) has got a little niggle at the moment and ‘Hutchy’ (Tom Hutchesson) is moving really well so I think all us second year boys are really enjoying having a tougher pre-season this year.”
Riccardi has had his training load eased for this week but been impressive in his second pre-season and was one of the best performers in the club’s 2km time-trial earlier this month.
The GIANTS are scheduled to play one AAMI Series pre-season game in early March with a match practice session against the Swans to be scheduled for late February.
