Ireland-born AFL debutant Caolan Mooney’s explosive speed is a level above that of Hawthorn’s Cyril Rioli, according to Mooney’s Collingwood teammate Harry O’Brien.
O’Brien says the 184cm Mooney, a 19-year-old who played Gaelic football with County Down in 2011, is a sensational athlete.
“The first thing we noticed about Caolan is his athletic ability, how quick he is and how high he can jump,” O’Brien told reporters on Friday.
“He’s got this explosive pace that I haven’t seen.
“I’ve had the pleasure of playing on players like Cyril Rioli and players that have real explosive speed and I’d say Caolan is another level up from that.
“It’s really exciting to see. He’s put in a lot of work, a lot of sacrifice moving across from the other side of the world to play a professional sport, and it’s great for him to get an opportunity.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing what he can do because the sky’s the limit for him.”
Brazil-born O’Brien, a veteran of 147 games, said it was amazing how quickly Mooney had adapted to the 18-a-side game.
Mooney kicked five goals for Collingwood’s VFL team last week.
Ladder leaders Collingwood (10-2) are on a nine-game winning streak and host Fremantle (6-6) at the MCG on Saturday.
Mooney is joined by fellow teenager Jackson Paine in the Magpies’ lineup at the expense of Tom Young and Irishman Martin Clarke.
Fremantle regain fiery small forward Hayden Ballantyne from suspension, but are still missing midfield star Stephen Hill and key defender Zac Dawson.
O’Brien could get the job on Ballantyne, who so infuriated Geelong’s All-Australian defender Matthew Scarlett in round one that Scarlett was given a three-match suspension for punching the Dockers’ goalsneak on the chin.
“The last few times I’ve played Freo when he’s been playing, I haven’t really noticed anything,” O’Brien said when asked about Ballantyne’s abrasive playing style.
“It must be a few teams that must target him or provoke him or whatever. He’s just like any other opponent.”
O’Brien said the Dockers were playing a defensive-style of football under new coach Ross Lyon, who guided St Kilda to grand final appearances in 2009 and 2010.
“It’s proven to win games at the MCG. He knows how to win really contested-type games,” O’Brien said.
“So it’s going to be a really tough game.”
The 12th-placed Dockers are conceding 83 points per game compared to 98 in 2011. Their points-against tally of 1001 after round 13 is less than those of top-eight teams Adelaide, Geelong and St Kilda.