Local Port Lincoln hero Keenan Ramsey is mobbed by kids at a clinic on Centenary Oval. Photo: Sarah Reed. Source: News Corp Australia
ADELAIDE rookie Keenan Ramsey considers his first AFL practice match a small step but as the Crows were winding up their trip to Port Lincoln he was given the attention of a star by onlookers from his home town.
Watching him mingle with the locals at Centenary Oval it was clear he is easygoing and self-deprecating.
AFL DREAM: KEENAN RAMSEY'S INSPIRATIONAL STORY
He was taken aback by the words of support as they rushed to congratulate him on a performance that included some eye-catching efforts against North Melbourne in the first round of NAB Challenge matches.
Ramsey lost the sight of one eye when he was just two years old through a cancer of the retina but he has turned out to be a significant promise of a footballer.
Taken at pick 27 in the rookie draft, Ramsey received extra time of the ground because of the misfortune of Tom Lynch, who suffered a concussion from a collision, and Ramsey's opportunity gave him the confidence to think that he could challenge for a senior game sooner rather than later.
Much of that confidence comes after new coach Phil Walsh promised the crop arriving at West Lakes that he was not interested in games played or the age of his players. If they were good enough, they would play. It also helps that his mentor is captain Taylor Walker, another knockabout bloke from the country who calls it as he sees it.
Ramsey thought of his time against North Melbourne as an invaluable learning opportunity.
"It was good to get on the ground and play in front of the home crowd," Ramsey said.
"I thought that everyone contributed well and obviously it showed, because we won the game.
"To play my part, with Tom Lynch unfortunately going down, was really pleasing for myself."
Keenan Ramsey is mobbed by teammates after kicking his first goal for the Crows in the NAB Challenge. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Corp Australia
Ramsey reminds those around him of Walker, his mentor, because he is similarly dry and has a bush footballer's way of speaking. And he fronts up like it doesn't worry him one bit that he's the youngest player in the forward line.
It was not surprising that he didn't suffer from nerves ahead of his first game for the Crows in front of his home crowd in Lincoln.
"I don't really get too nervous,'' Ramsey said. "I know that if I prepare well during the week then all I have to focus on is to help out the team as best as I can."
Keenan Ramsey kicks his first goal in Crows colours. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Corp Australia
Ramsey knows he's only at the beginning of a path of becoming a league footballer.
But he and the other first-year players have been heartened by their treatment by Walsh who has told them he has put no limits on the pace of their progress.
"He's said that he's thrown out all the birth certificates," Ramsey said. "If you're good enough and you're doing the right things, which he's looking for, you're going to get an opportunity.
"There was myself and another four or five other first-gamers ... it shows that he's given us an opportunity to show what we can do. I've found it quite challenging, but also a good learning experience.
"Coming into the system you don't know how it's going to be. You go from training two or three times a week to training six days a week. It's full-on and it takes a little while for your body to get used to.
But with the help of all the fitness staff ... you're nurtured pretty closely."
Keenan Ramsey is a $102,400 defender in SuperCoach. Is he in your squad? Register now!
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