Ex-cricketer Alex Keath to make AFL debut
Jul 20, 2017 - 3:54 AM Eight years after initially turning his back on Australian Rules to pursue a cricket career, Alex Keath is an AFL footballer.The 25-year-old will make his AFL debut for Adelaide in Friday night's top-of-the-table match against Geelong.
The Adelaide Oval fixture is an endpoint to a protracted tug-of-war within Keath - footy or cricket?
Keath was initially drafted in 2009 by AFL club Gold Coast. But he opted out, preferring to focus on cricket.
A cricketing allrounder, Keath played for Victoria before losing his state contract at the end of the 2014-15 summer.
He then had a stint in English league cricket before moving to Adelaide to play grade cricket.
Despite taking a Big Bash League contract with the Adelaide Strikers, Keath switched back to Australian Rules when overlooked last summer for a SA cricket contract.
The Crows recruited Keath as a Category B draftee - the same category the AFL club used to select US college basketballer Hugh Greenwood - a regular in the Crows' AFL side.
Adelaide coach Don Pyke has summoned Keath, a 198cm tall defender, after injuries to fellow tall backmen Jake Lever and Kyle Hartigan.
"He has earned it," Pyke told reporters on Thursday.
"(It's) fantastic for Alex for the work he has done and obviously the transition from cricket to footy."
Pyke described Keath, named captain of Adelaide's state league side this season, as a very competitive footballer.
"He's a real strong competitor. His attack on the ball and his ball use is really efficient as well," he said.
"He has got some speed and some competitive spirit which we like.
"We had Hughy Greenwood earlier in the year come in from an alternate sport background, and for Keathy to do what he has done is fantastic.
"You can't get the smile off his face at the moment so it will be a big night for him."
Source: AAP
No one has shouted yet.
Be the first!
Be the first!
Related News
- Crows address AFL pre-season indifference Dec 22
- Family behind Gibbs AFL Crows move Nov 28
- Go-home factor no issue for Crows at draft Nov 24
- Crows won't use pick bounty on Gibbs: Reid Oct 12
- Lever's Crows AFL exit about money: Walker Oct 10
- Crouch Crows' second-youngest award winner Oct 6
- Thousands cheer Adelaide Crows as heroes Oct 1
- Adelaide Crows delayed at Melb airport Oct 1
- Crows will learn harsh AFL GF lesson: Pyke Sep 30
- Crows coach puzzled by grand final flop Sep 30
- Stars align for Otten after tough AFL run Sep 29
- Crows AFL skipper: we'll get the job done Sep 29