Former Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault Lion Ty Anderson hopeful of early WAFL debut after Fremantle Dockers run

He burst on to the scene at Harvey-Brunswick-Leschanault just last year with a break-out season and now Ty Anderson is running around with some of the country’s best footballers. The new Peel Thunder man, who says he is “tracking well” at his new club, was called up to fill a spot in Fremantle’s intra-club practice match on Friday — the AFL club’s last tune-up before it faces West Coast in the first of two pre-season games. And it’s not the only exciting news for the Lions’ reigning best and fairest winner, who says he is hopeful of a round one WAFL debut. “It’s a big step up, but it’s exciting and I think I’m ready for it, honestly,” he said. “I’m hoping to play round one. “They have just said I have been tracking pretty well and they’re excited to see how I go in the scratch matches and then I’m sure I’ll get a better idea of where I sit.” Known for his pace at SWFL level over the past three seasons, Anderson said the tempo of the game was still the biggest adjustment he had to make when the Dockers came knocking for top-up players. “It was a good opportunity, I learnt a lot out of it,” he said. “It was very quick, fast-paced. They have the way they want to play and I just needed to adjust to that. “It was good to go round and have a run with some of the top quality athletes in the State.” Thrust on to a wing for the practice game — the position he is likely to play for the Thunder this season — the 21-year-old took guidance from a young Docker who looks poised for a positional change this year. “Liam Henry is an absolute jet. He was helping me out a lot if I was out of position or somewhere I wasn’t meant to be because I’m still learning all the structures,” Anderson said. “I learnt a lot from him and it was just a good insight into what is expected of you at an AFL level.” Peel Thunder begin their season against East Fremantle at Lane Group Stadium in Mandurah on April 16.