Point Lonsdale's George Limb is forging a promising future in the sport of gridiron. Photo supplied.
A suggestion from mum, Emily, that George Limb answer an advert for “big” players has paid dividends in the sport of gridiron, and could lead to further opportunities in the football code.
After just his first season with the Geelong Buccaneers, the Point Lonsdale 16-year old has been selected in the Victorian U/20 gridiron team, to compete in next month’s national championships, to be played in Wollongong.
“Mum just saw a post on Instagram saying we want some of the biggest guys in Geelong and thought I’d suit the role,” George said.
Nudging 6.2 ft and having grown up in an Australian Rules football-loving family – Dad Michael Limb is a three-time Queenscliff premiership player and his uncle, Tom, the club’s former premiership captain and coach - George more than suited the role, despite a limited knowledge of the rules.
“I’d watched gridiron and the Super Bowl, but I didn’t know anything about the rules really,” he said.
“I enjoyed the first try out, but it was a bit weird I guess. I didn’t really know what was going on, they just told me to hit a few bags and I did and went from there.”
Playing in a defensive role – that guy tasked with taking out the quarterback - George helped the Buccaneers reach recent Grand Finals in both U/16 and U/19 competitions, narrowly losing both to Melbourne teams. In doing so, he was named Victoria’s U/16 Rookie of the Year and picked up the Buccaneers’ Most Valuable Player and Player’s Player awards.
For now, George will continue with both grid iron and AFL, but has not ruled out further pursuing a career in America’s national game.
“They love the Aussies in America, so there’s always scouts looking at the local competition and there are definitely pathways.
“I think if the opportunities come up where I am being looked at, I’d definitely jump at the chance. I have thought about colleges over there and I know some people with connections, so depending on where I’m at when juniors finish, it could definitely be a possibility and an opportunity.”
With little brother Angus also playing with the Buccaneers, the Limb family is quickly adopting a passion for the sport.
“They actually love it and have done a lot of research in their own time to learn about the sport, which is pretty nice,” George added.
After just his first season with the Geelong Buccaneers, the Point Lonsdale 16-year old has been selected in the Victorian U/20 gridiron team, to compete in next month’s national championships, to be played in Wollongong.
“Mum just saw a post on Instagram saying we want some of the biggest guys in Geelong and thought I’d suit the role,” George said.
Nudging 6.2 ft and having grown up in an Australian Rules football-loving family – Dad Michael Limb is a three-time Queenscliff premiership player and his uncle, Tom, the club’s former premiership captain and coach - George more than suited the role, despite a limited knowledge of the rules.
“I’d watched gridiron and the Super Bowl, but I didn’t know anything about the rules really,” he said.
“I enjoyed the first try out, but it was a bit weird I guess. I didn’t really know what was going on, they just told me to hit a few bags and I did and went from there.”
Playing in a defensive role – that guy tasked with taking out the quarterback - George helped the Buccaneers reach recent Grand Finals in both U/16 and U/19 competitions, narrowly losing both to Melbourne teams. In doing so, he was named Victoria’s U/16 Rookie of the Year and picked up the Buccaneers’ Most Valuable Player and Player’s Player awards.
For now, George will continue with both grid iron and AFL, but has not ruled out further pursuing a career in America’s national game.
“They love the Aussies in America, so there’s always scouts looking at the local competition and there are definitely pathways.
“I think if the opportunities come up where I am being looked at, I’d definitely jump at the chance. I have thought about colleges over there and I know some people with connections, so depending on where I’m at when juniors finish, it could definitely be a possibility and an opportunity.”
With little brother Angus also playing with the Buccaneers, the Limb family is quickly adopting a passion for the sport.
“They actually love it and have done a lot of research in their own time to learn about the sport, which is pretty nice,” George added.
