Sometimes football can throw up the strangest set of circumstances.
Take Alistair Kefford, for example.
Kefford was amongst the best players for Calder Cannons in their stunning TAC Cup Grand Final victory against Gippsland Power in 2010.
It was a Cannons team that featured Dion Prestia, Tom Liberatore, Mitch Wallis, Cam Guthrie, Brandon Ellis, Michael Talia, Jordan Schroder and Tom Sheridan who’ve all progressed to play AFL.
And, in the case of Prestia, Liberatore, Wallis, Guthrie and Ellis they’ve all advanced to play significant roles for their respective clubs.
“I think it was the greatest Cannons team to every take the park,” Kefford said.
While there were a ridiculous number of the 2010 Cannons crop selected in the various forms of the AFL Drafts, Kefford was overlooked.
He found himself at Williamstown, where he spent the season in the Seagulls Development League team.
“I enjoyed my time at Willy, but where I was with Uni and a few other things, I got a bit sick of footy,” Kefford said.
He returned to his junior club Aberfeldie, but last season he spent most of the season in the twos after travelling overseas in the middle of the year.
While he played in Aberfeldie’s winning Semi Final, Kefford found himself squeezed out with the return from VFL club Essendon of Josh Toy, Dave Fahey, Anthony Tipungwuti and Zac O’Brien.
Given that backdrop, Kefford has made the quantum leap to find himself actually playing with Essendon VFL.
He is one of the few VFL players to have played every game so far this season.
Out of nowhere Kefford was given a call by Essendon General Manager Matthew Little inviting him down to pre-season training.
So, what gives?
“I knew ‘Skippy’ (Hayden Skipworth, Essendon coach) as he played a few games at ‘Abers’ (Aberfeldie) and I knew Matty (Little, the Essendon General Manager) through Williamstown,” Kefford said.
“Given Essendon had lost (Scott) Gumbleton and (Stewart) Crameri they were a bit short on a few tall forwards.
“I went down for pre-season, loved it and I’ve been able to string a few games together. I’m really happy with how the year is going.”
Kefford said he had to crank up his fitness, but he’s done that and kicked a goal in 10 of the 11 games as well as playing a required role.
“I thought I had enough talent to play at a decent level, I’ve just been working myself into the season,” Kefford said.
“I’ve been the beneficiary of playing in a good team with good supply.”
When opportunity knocks, you’ve got to be ready to open the door. Just ask Alistair Kefford.
Kefford was on the VFL Podcast this week, listen in to his interview below (7 minute mark).
Last Modified on 09/07/2014 16:57