GREATER Western Sydney coach Leon Cameron has no problem pitting his young midfielder Jack Steele against some of his idols when the Giants take on Geelong in a crucial clash on Saturday.
The Canberra local and GWS academy product will play in front of his home crowd for the first time at AFL level after growing up watching games at StarTrack Oval with his father.
Steele is likely to find himself matched up against Cats captain Joel Selwood, Jimmy Bartel or Steve Johnson at some stage during the match and Cameron knows his young star will relish the challenge.
Taken as pick 24 in last year's NAB AFL Draft, Steele had to wait until round 12 for his AFL debut and made an immediate impression against North Melbourne in a side well beaten when he had 17 possessions and laid 10 tackles.
The 19-year-old's impressive form in the NEAFL and his competitive nature forced Cameron to pick him in the senior team and he has looked comfortable among some of the game's biggest names.
"Jack's going to serve it up as much as what he gets it on the weekend and that’s why we like him playing in our side," Cameron said.
"Everyone starts out their journey sometime – Bartel, Selwood, (Corey) Enright, superstars like (James) Kelly – would have played on their idols as well, and Jack is no different.
"One thing I do know is that when the ball bounces his competitive spirit comes alive and the guys that he plays against wouldn't want it any different."
While admitting at times it is still sinking in that he is standing alongside the champions he grew up watching, Steele says he is not overawed by the prospect.
He recalled being at the MCG in 2007 when Geelong defeated Collingwood in a thrilling preliminary final by only five points in front of just over 98,000 fans.
One week later the Cats won the first of their three premierships in five years to stamp themselves as one of the greatest teams in history.
"I went for Collingwood and I idolised guys like Bartel and Selwood, I think Bartel won the Brownlow that year," Steele said.
"It's still a bit weird matching up against those sorts of players and their calibre but it should be exciting and I'm really looking forward to it.
"I try not to think about it too much, you need to relax yourself at times and keep a calm state of mind."
In an exclusive chat with AFL.com.au GWS co-captain Callan Ward did not mince his words when describing the talents of his younger teammate.
The Giants leader is well known for his hardness at the footy and ability to win the contested ball, and was glowing in his praise of Steele.
"He's probably the complete package for a midfielder, I love playing with him," Ward told AFL.com.au.
"He's a great size and can take marks, he's nice and tough in and under, he's got really good skills and can spread as well.
"He's come in and made a huge difference for a guy who has only played four games, he's cruising along very nicely.
"He's a guy that just wants to learn, he's always asking questions and just wants to improve all the time, which is great to see for such a young guy."
