By RUSSELL BENNETT
AT JUST 16-years-old, Cora Lynn’s Jaxon Briggs looms as one of the most exciting young midfield prospects in the EDFL West.
He may be diminutive in stature, but he’s powerful in sheer will and determination – as evidenced by his brilliant role on Kooweerup star Luke Walker earlier this season.
“Jesus, I was pretty nervous! I didn’t know what to expect,” said a candid Briggs recently.
“It was a good learning curve matching up on him.”
Briggs made his senior debut in the Cobras’ 94-point Round 1 demolition of Bunyip and played his ninth game on Saturday, versus the Bulldogs once again.
The Berwick teenager is a product of the Narre Warren junior system but credits Cobras’ senior coach Travis Marsham for his development as a player.
“Before the season started he just wanted to get some senior footy into me and build me up and take what I learnt in the seniors down to the under-18s and see if I improved, and then he’d give me another shot,” Briggs said.
He has fast become a crucial part of the Cobras’ makeup, and Briggs – himself – puts that largely down to the help he’s received from his senior team mates.
“They get my confidence up and they’ve been really, really good to me,” he said.
“They teach me a lot of things – especially the leadership group.
“If you do something wrong they always come up with ways you can improve.”
Briggs knows he isn’t blessed with a big, inside midfielder’s body but he also knows that his game is built around his biggest strength – speed and being able to keep pace with any opponent.
He’s constantly working on improving his decision-making and on-field vision, adding that Marsham is also helping him improve his ball skills.
Briggs is hoping to play TAC Cup footy next year but if he doesn’t, he won’t let it get to him.
“I just try to do my best,” he said.
“I never really let myself get down.
“Even if my opponent has 10 touches in the first quarter I’ll just focus on the next one.
“Trav is very big on us keeping our heads up and refusing to drop them.”
