Optimistic … Injury prevented Ben Casley from taking part in this year’s national Combine, but he remains hopeful of finding a spot on an AFL list. 49576 Picture: SARAH MATRAY
By Luke D’Anello
BEN Casley’s chances of taking part in this year’s AFL national Combine – formerly draft camp – were shattered when he suffered a serious shoulder injury late in the TAC Cup season.
But the Western Jet remains hopeful of finding an AFL home in 2011.
Casley, 18, is currently on the mend after a shoulder reconstruction, but still managed to attend the four-day Combine.
Casley was selected among the medium defenders, despite the fact he plays most of his football in the forward half.
Now he is left to hope his injury does not prevent him from reaching his ultimate goal.
“I’m still keen to have a crack at it (playing AFL). I was still able to go up and it was a good experience there, even though I wasn’t able to test,” Casley said.
“I’ve got the sling off now and I see the surgeon again in a week. Hopefully I can start getting into some light weights and those sort of things.
“The first thing I thought about (when I got injured) was the final the next week. I thought, ‘hopefully I can get up for it, hopefully it isn’t too bad’, but it was a bit worse than I first expected and that was the most disappointing thing.”
Casley did, however, take part in interviews with three AFL clubs during his trip to Canberra, and said the experience proved worthwhile.
“They were asking about more personal stuff, such as what I do for school and what my family is like. They also asked about game structures and what I thought of my own year, personally, and that sort of thing.”
Casley’s year was underlined by a fourth-placed finish in the Jets’ best-and-fairest and a spot in the Vic Metro training squad for the under-18 national championships.
He also suited up twice for VFL club Williamstown and booted four goals in each match.
The achievement was not lost on those who could play a role in deciding Casley’s future.
Casley can also draw inspiration from two-time Brownlow Medallist Chris Judd, who suffered the same injury at the same age.
“A couple of clubs mentioned it (performances for Williamstown) in my interview, so hopefully that can help. It’s a bit of a long-shot and there are a lot of good players out there.
“I’m pretty confident in the surgeon. He said it (the operation) all went well and I’ve actually got a few mates who have had the same thing done and their recovery is going pretty well.
“The surgeon said that, once it gets fixed, it should be back to normal.
“There’s not much more I can do (to get drafted), so I’m just focusing on uni at the moment.”
Jets region manager Shane Sexton said the timing of Casley’s injury was simply bad luck.
“Most kids are going to be sitting back now hoping that they’re going to get drafted. Everyone has done all they can now and all they can do is sit back and wait for the draft and rookie draft,” Sexton said.
“I think he was disappointed, as you would be, but these things happen and it’s part of what goes on in the game, unfortunately.
“It happened to Chris Judd. He had both shoulders done before he played any senior footy, really. It doesn’t mean that you can’t come back.”
Meanwhile, fellow Jets Dylan Conway and Adam Kennedy attended the one-day state Combine last week. Jesse Fortune was selected, but was unable to do any physical testing due to a hamstring injury.
This year’s AFL national draft will be held on the Gold Coast on 18 November.
