Former NBL basketballer Tom Fullarton finding his feet in footy

Brisbane Lions rookie Tom Fullarton has continued to repay the faith of the club’s recruiters, with a four-goal haul in damp conditions against Aspley on Friday afternoon.

The 200cm 20-year-old boasts a superb leap and mark, however what stood out to spectators at Voxson Oval was his skill when the ball hit the deck, a trait he believes can set him apart.

“I think ground-level for a pretty tall bloke is a strength of mine,” he told neafl.com.au.

“If I can do my work early and bring the ball to ground and then follow up, I think that’s a big asset of mine. That’s my role and if I keep doing that then that’s what I’m going to bring.”

Match-day NEAFL TV commentators and experts of Queensland footy, Mark ‘Kanga’ Kennedy and ‘The Encyclopaedia of Queensland Footy’ Bob Batty were both sure to point out how, “for a guy so tall, even at junior level, he (Fullarton) was exceptional below his knees.”

Fullarton also gained nine disposals, two marks and six hit-outs, an area he admits still could use some work.

“Still got a long way to go,” he said of his ruckwork.

“It’s definitely a lot more physical at this level than what I’m used to as a junior when I was rucking, so just learning how to beat guys with my athleticism and not getting into a wrestling match is probably the biggest thing for me.”

Playing his sixth game of competitive football after a four-year hiatus, Fullarton is gaining more confidence with every minute he’s on the field

“I feel like I worked into the game slowly,” he said.

“My first quarter I felt like I didn’t have much of an impact at all and then just by running the right patterns and keep doing the right thing by the team, I felt like I got on the end of a few and it was nice to get the win.”

Coach Mitch Hahn has been similarly contented with Fullarton’s form, not only from an individual standpoint, but as a cog of Brisbane’s tall forward line.

“I’ve been pleased with him, and today it was great for him to get some reward off the back of that,” said Hahn.

“I think him, Toby Wooller (four goals) and Sam Skinner (13 disposals, four marks); those three over the last three weeks have been working really hard as a forward group… working to work together, to block to create opportunities for one to pop up and they got better at that today.”

With the anniversary of Fullarton’s official signing on as a Brisbane Lion approaching, he’s relishing the professional footy environment at the Lions.

“I feel a lot more comfortable within the group now. Definitely got a lot more mates and a lot more relationships now, so I think that helps translate onto the field,” he said.

“I feel like I’m starting to find my role within the team and as long as I can keep my body right and play good footy then that’s what I want.”

Fullarton and the Brisbane Lions will look to take their form to a 4-0 start to the season as they take on the Gold Coast SUNS in Round 4 in the QClash curtain raiser on Saturday morning.