LEETON-Whitton’s premiership hopes have been given a significant boost by the return of Lucas Meline for finals.
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Meline, 19, established himself as one of the competition’s most promising youngsters last year and so much so, he has spent all this season playing on match permits in the North Eastern Australian Football League (NEAFL).
After playing 15 games for Canberra Demons and the Giants, Meline will make his long-awaited season debut for Leeton-Whitton in Saturday’s qualifying final at Robertson Oval.
Meline has kept track of the Crows’ progress all year and is looking forward to returning for the showdown with Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes (MCUE).
“Definitely, obviously I’ve got to get picked first though,” Meline said.
“I’ve been keeping an eye on the Crows to see what’s going on.
“I hoped to play a few games during the season but the way my NEAFL commitments have panned out, I didn’t get an opportunity until this weekend.”
Meline is a registered Leeton-Whitton player and plays NEAFL on match permits.
Under the competition by-laws, games played in the NEAFL or representative games for NSW-ACT are counted as qualification games so Meline is free to play finals for the Crows.
Wagga Tigers teen Charlie Bance has done the same thing.
The time spent in Canberra has obviously done Meline no harm and has resulted an invite to the AFL State Combine at season’s end.
“The move has really helped the development with my footy,” he said.
“The exposure, too, I guess is a big thing.
“I couldn’t have wanted anything more from this year, it’s been great.”
At this stage, Meline’s availability is on a week to week basis.
Canberra Demons’ season is over, while the Giants have the opening week of NEAFL finals off.
Meline is likely to play for the Giants, if selected, over the Crows but is not holding his breath on getting a start with the AFL club during finals.
“The Giants contacted me and said we’ll call you on a week to week basis,” Meline said.
“It would be good to play finals with them if the opportunity came up, but they obviously have a lot to pick from.”
Leeton-Whitton and MCUE have enjoyed the one win apiece in their two meetings this season.
Meline expects the Goannas to prove tough opposition on Saturday.
“Mango are a pretty strong side and have been for years so it should be a good challenging game,” he said.
“It will be pretty close and a tough one to call but hopefully we do get the win.”
Meline will return home for the Crows’ final training session on Thursday night.
He could slot in anywhere in Leeton-Whitton’s line-up after playing half-forward, half-back and midfield this season.