Nathan Colenso is fast becoming the man to step up in the big moments, this time for Williamstown in the Victorian Football League.
Late last year, Colenso produced a best on ground performance as Keilor won the Essendon District Football League premier division premiership.
On Saturday, Colenso kicked the goal that put the Seagulls in front to claim the massive scalp of last season’s runners-up Southport.
While Southport went forward after that goal, the Seagulls were able to rush through a behind and then keep control of the ball.
“I haven’t done that since I was younger,” said Colenso of kicking the winning goal. “It was nerve-wracking, it was good to come through.
“We knew what they were capable of and we respect them. They are a good outfit and that win is a massive scalp in the scheme of things for us.”
Colenso, who played a season at Southport before moving to Melbourne, said they had played patches of good football against the Sharks.
He said even when they were a couple of goals down in the final quarter they were still confident they could get the job done.
Colenso said it was a nice feeling to contribute to some big wins for his two clubs.
“It’s nice to play more than just my role and have a few good games and get some goals on the scoreboard.”
Colenso has played every game for the Seagulls this season, kicking eight goals so far.
After starting last season at local level with Keilor before coming into the side in the back end of the season it was a good feeling to play VFL from round one.
“Last year it was a tough start to the year,” he said. “It’s a great feeling to start the season in the side and locked in a spot in the team.
“My role is to get on the end of it and I’ve been able to kick a few goals. The experience and connection with the rest of the playing group has helped.
“We’ve retained most of the last and playing team together. There’s a lot of synergy from last year.”
The win was an important one for the Seagulls.
Colenso said that they felt like they had been building in the few weeks leading into the match and they were hoping it would kick start their year.
The Seagulls have a bye this weekend.
“We got that one win now, hopefully we can get on a roll,” he said. “After the bye we will get a few players back from injury and hopefully we will go on to bigger things.”
