If jumper fits, Tom wears it

By Justin Robertson
WHEN Pakenham Upper’s Tom Bugg pulls on the Vic Country guernsey for this weekend’s AFL Under-18 Championships opener, it’ll be the fourth team jumper he’s worn in as many months.
In that time, he has played for Caulfield Grammar, Gippsland Power and represented Australia during a whirlwind 11-day South African tour with the AIS-AFL Academy squad.
The carnival kicks off for Vic Country and Vic Metro in Sunday’s clash at the MCG, and Bugg is hoping the Country boys can claim this year’s coveted national title.
“I’ve been named in the first game, so hopefully I can play some good footy and get a few more games after that,” Bugg said. “Hopefully we win the nationals. That would be the team goal. I just want to have a good carnival and keep my place in the team.”
All eyes will be on Bugg during Vic Country’s second round match against NSW/ACT, hosted at the Blacktown Olympic Park ground – the home of Greater Western Sydney (GWS) who are scheduled to enter the AFL in 2012.
The 17-year-old midfielder/half-back is eligible to be pre-selected by GWS at the end of the year.
And he is optimistic his dream of playing AFL football could soon become a reality.
“Hopefully it happens,” he said. “It’s still a while away, so I’m concentrating on what I’ve got on now.”