Chris steps up

WHEN premiership defender Tom O’Loughlin decided to take the year off, Pakenham’s search for a key running backman to replace him was short and sweet.
Teenage Lion Chris Cardona stepped up and has made the position his own in the first half of 2010 and that has earned the young Lion the fourth nomination for the Gazette Casey Cardinia league Young Gun award of 2010.
Lions coach Ryan Cassidy endorsed Cardona’s credentials, saying that his progression and development to the level required had been fast because he was willing to listen, learn and then act on his instructions.
That attitude is a result of a long and successful junior career with the Pakenham Lions, together with the encouragement of his parents Karen and Steven who Chris said were the biggest influence on his determined nature.
Another positive role model has been his cousin, former Pakenham and Cora Lynn player Doug Lehne, who he used to watch play and wanted to emulate.
Chris who recently turned 19, played with the Pakenham Lions from the under-10s and said he had always been comfortable behind the ball.
“I was pretty much a back man right through my juniors. I went into the midfield in under-15s through to under-18s but I’m back in defence this year and really enjoying it,” he said.
His personal achievements in the game include the DDJFL best and fairest award in under-16s and the MPNFL Casey Cardinia league best and fairest award as a bottom aged under-18 in 2008.
Chris said he modelled his game and himself on Lions captain Jared Goldsack and added that, while he was happy at Pakenham, he would love to go as high as he could in the game.
“I did try out for the Gippsland Power squad but got cut in the last round and didn’t get in. I have thought about taking my footy further and I’d like to, but at the moment I’m happy playing with Pakenham and improving my game.”