By: Daniel Cencic
Twitter: @DC_EFL
What a past 10 months it’s been for South Croydon’s Frank Anderson.
At just 20 years of age, Anderson will captain the Vic Metro representative side in the AFL Victoria Community Cup this Sunday, when they take on Vic Country at Ballarat’s Mars Stadium.
Anderson in action. PICTURE: Davis Harrigan Photography
In a moment described as ‘pure happiness’, the honour of leading his charges adds to a gleaming past year for the Bulldog.
“I found out (about the captaincy) on Monday night at the second-last training session,” Anderson said.
“(Vic Metro coach) Brian Royal came up to me and said congratulations – I had a big smile on my face, gave him a big hug and shook his hand.
“It’s pure happiness really (and) very humbled to tell you the truth, but excited as well.”
Anderson was named the winner of the Leader Young Gun Award for Division 1 and 2 at last season’s Chandler Medal in a season where he played an integral role in delivering South Croydon its first top-tier flag in its history.
In May, he represented the EFL in the WorkSafe AFL Victoria Community Championships as Eastern claimed the coveted number-one ranking in the state.
Anderson (right) celebrates South Croydon’s Division 1 premiership win last year. PICTURE: Davis Harrigan Photography
It’s a surreal feeling for one of the most prolific young stars in Division 1.
“How good is footy at the moment?,” Anderson said.
“Straight after the (Division 1) grand final I was in Europe for three and a half months with my best mate and my girlfriend and then came home, started playing footy again and started up my own business with my girlfriend.
“Everything’s awesome at the moment, definitely floating on water – it’s really cool.”
Anderson is listed alongside familiar names Jayden Kroussoratis (Norwood), Jackson McDonald (Rowville) Joseph Fisher and Liam Buxton (Vermont) – reuniting after representing the EFL together in May.
“They’re super guys, and I’m very, very excited to play with them on Sunday,” Anderson said.
Team camaraderie couldn’t be better heading into Sunday’s clash – a team trait the skipper finds eerily similar to this year’s EFL representative side.
“There’s a lot of good guys in the team,” he said.
“Something I noticed straight away was everyone’s there to play for each other, there’s no real guys who are out to do it for themselves.
“Everyone’s been super friendly to one-another and hopefully that’s going to show on Sunday as well.
“I think that’s what did us justice in the interleague game as well when we played Geelong; we were there to play with each other – we were there to play as a team and if we can bring that team culture on Sunday then I think we’re going to go a long way.”
Catch all the action live this Sunday from 2pm at Ballarat’s Mars Stadium – click here for broadcast details.