Lachlan Keeffe could yet become one of Collingwood's greatest recruiting accomplishments.
The 204cm defender is in line to make his AFL debut on Sunday as the replacement for big man Chris Dawes.
What makes Keeffe's rise so remarkable is that the Magpie was eyeing a soccer career, in Queensland, four years ago.
Despite having played only a couple of games of Australian rules to that point, he has since flourished into an AFL-ready centre half-back.
Collingwood coach Michael Malthouse said Keeffe, who was rookie drafted in 2008, has had to bridge a greater gap than the AFL's Gaelic recruits.
"In many respects, it's probably a better story than an Irish story,'' Malthouse said.
"Because with the Irishmen, they've got the football in their hands.
"With soccer, unless you’re a goalie, there’s not much chance of having it (the ball) in your hands.
"It is a remarkable story.
"If he doesn't play this week, he's got to play by the end of the year, because he's young enough.
"He's built up enough experience in the VFL and we think he's got the attributes to be a league footballer.''
Keeffe, 21, mid-size forward Brent Macaffer and defender Tyson Goldsack are the chief candidates to replace the injured Dawes for Sunday's clash against North Melbourne.
Malthouse said Keeffe's development was a credit to his coaching staff and recruiting team which plucked him from football obscurity.
"This is another, if you like, salute to (recruiting chief) Derek Hine,'' he said.
"We have several players on our books from New South Wales and Queensland.
"In Lachlan's case, he wasn't playing for a football side, he was playing soccer, in the midfield.
"You look at his size, at his flexibility and look at his agility.
"Derek took a chance on him close to three years ago, and in that time he's learned how to play football.
"I think he'd played two games of footy with someone up there, that's all. It's outstanding.''
Article written by Jay Clark for the Herald Sun.
Photo by Michael Dodge.
Last Modified on 25/07/2011 13:04