The Orange Tigers have enjoyed the legspeed and hard tackling of Erin Naden for the past few seasons in the women's side, and now the men's outfit is due to receive some Naden treatment of their own.
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Erin's twin brother Callan will make his debut in round one of the AFL Central West 2019 season.
While the women's season doesn't begin until after Easter, with two extra games in the men's competition courtesy of the extra Bathurst Bushrangers side, the pair will become the second set to twins to line up for the Tigers in 2019, after Seanna and Erika Lindsay.
I've loved watching Australian Rules, it's a great sport.
- Callan Naden
Men's coach Dale Hunter said Naden was one of three juniors debuting over the weekend after a big turnover in players during the offseason, and said watching Erin run around last season in the women's competition was an exciting taste of what could come from her brother.
"If her on-field accolades are anything to go by I don't want to put him under pressure but he's got a bit of tail and a bit of raw talent and he just hasn't played a of football, he'll get his opportunity as well," Hunter said.
Naden himself said he was "very excited" and raring to go in his first game of senior footy.
He has played off and on in the past, mainly out towards Broken Hill in clinics, but has grown up watching his sister play in Indigenous sides across the state and with Canobolas Rural Technology High School, where the 17-year-olds attend.
"I'm pretty keen to run around with the boys," he said.
"I've always grown up with my sister playing (for the NSW) Indigenous Women so I was always connected with Australian rules, I played with Broken Hill."
Erin followed Callan into the world five minutes afterwards, but she's led the way in Australian rules, with the younger twin giving Callan some tips and tricks ahead of his first game on the weekend and he's taken inspiration from watching her run around on the field.
"It's pretty good seeing my sister being so connected, a few years ago I wouldn't have expected her playing Australian Rules. She's loving it and getting involved," Naden said.
"I've loved watching Australian rules, it's a great sport."
Naden will be joined by debutants Max Bylsma and Angus Henderson, both of whom are also under 18 prospects.
I'm happy to give young blokes every opportunity.
- Coach Dale Hunter
"He got a taste of it in the practice game with some really promising signs," Hunter said.
Bylsma played in the Tigers' preseason practice match against ANU, kicking a goal and holding his own on the wing.
Meanwhile, Henderson has joined the Tigers after moving from the Riverina and Hunter said the trio, with GWS academy prospect Charlie Kemp and Peter Byrne - son of club legend Mark - also in the wings to play at some stage during the season.
"There's going to be opportunities for young players to get their games and I'm happy to give young blokes every opportunity," Hunter said.
"We're a club that wants to contend every year and I want to make sure when I'm long gone from this club those kids are still going."
Orange Tigers play Parkes Panthers at 2.30pm Saturday at Northparkes Oval.
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