GIANT move sees Finlayson flourish
By Sam Canavan
Jeremy Finlayson is a young man of few words, but that’s about the only thing he’s short of.
The 18-year-old stands a towering 195cm tall, tips the scales at 82kg, and is, by his own admission, growing at a rate of knots.
His game too is big, bold, and eye-catching, and it’s got him well and truly in the cross hairs of a raft of recruiters.
Finlayson has produced the best football of his fledgling career by some distance this season, highlighted by a barnstorming display for the UWS GIANTS in Round 19 of the NEAFL season, which led to his Rising Star nomination.
Statistics can sometimes be misleading, but in this case, the numbers of the youngster in jumper #46 speak for themselves.
Stationed on a wing, Finlayson amassed 27 disposals, plucked 13 marks, and kicked two goals, to be the only non-listed GIANTS player named in the sides’ best, in their 37-point win over Queanbeyan.
Typically understated, Finlayson surmised it was “a pretty good game,” before conceding the showing was “definitely” his best at NEAFL level.
While it’s taken a little while for Finlayson’s break out NEAFL display, he’s already put his name up in lights this year, with consistent performances for the NSW/ACT RAMS in the TAC Cup, and as part of the RAMS side which went undefeated through the National U18 Championships.
His RAMS mentor, former Swans and Carlton defender Jason Saddington, is glowing in his praise of Finlayson.
“Jeremy has had an impressive campaign with the RAMS this year, and he is developing really nicely as a footballer,” Saddington says.
“He is a good size, very quick off the mark, agile, can take a good mark, and knows where the goals are.
“His work ethic is continuing to improve, and he’s got an exciting future ahead.”
Of indigenous origin, raised in a small country town in rural New South Wales, Finlayson was always lean, lanky, and exceptionally talented, and he took to football with aplomb.
“I have always loved the game of AFL, it suits all of my strengths, and I realized I had a fair talent for it,” Finlayson says.
“My older brother was a very promising player, and I believe could have pushed towards AFL level, but he gave the game away when he reached his late teenage years, as things became ‘too serious’ for him.
“I decided to embrace the seriousness though when I got a little older and started making representative sides, and I’m glad I did.”
Finlayson relocated to Western Sydney before Grade 11 of High School, at the urging of GIANTS Academy staff, and after an initial “period of adjustment” set about pressing his claim as one of the region’s most likely footballers.
It’s a decision that has already paid dividends, with Finlayson flourishing under the guidance of the likes of former Essendon star Mark McVeigh, and in November the move could pay off big time, with most pundits tipping him to be drafted by the GIANTS as an Academy zone selection.
Though he’s never admit it, Finlayson’s rare combination of a booming left foot, height, athleticism, and class – he’s equally adept playing as a running winger or leading key forward – means comparisons with another relatively new arrival to the Harbour City are inevitable.
“I don’t consider myself anywhere near as good as him, he’s a freak!” scoffs Finlayson at being likened to Swans superstar Lance “Buddy” Franklin, “he is the kind of player I aspire to be like, and I’m hoping I can push towards that level.”
