Not even having his appendix removed 12 days earlier was enough to cast any doubt into the state selectors' minds of Jack Goodall’s talent. The Port Douglas AFL product admitted he was well short on fitness after undergoing surgery that threatened to derail his bid at the Queensland championships.
Goodall was named by Queensland selectors, along with Hawks rising star Jermaine Wardle in the under 16 AFL team, with selectors unable to ignore their talent. For Goodall, it took just one game to show his worth, but conceded it was far from his best performance, despite booting a goal over the South East Bushrangers.
"It was a bit of a surprise," he said. "I wasn’t really fit at all."
With coach Rob Searle apprehensive of playing Goodall less than two weeks after surgery, Goodall ran water for his teammates in the opening two matches, before pleading his case to the trainer to get the all clear.
"I got the OK from the trainer, who could see the scar had healed," he said.
Goodall was now looking forward to the prospect of playing in front of AFL scouts at the tournament. He said it would be invaluable experience as he attempted to launch an AFL career of his own.
"It’s all about the experience," he said.
Read more at http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2011/05/12/163575_local-sport-news.html
Courtesy of The Cairns Post
Last Modified on 12/05/2011 09:49