Delisted Keeffe wants AFL lifeline
Versatile tall Lachlan Keeffe hopes his AFL career is not over after being delisted by Collingwood this week.
The 27-year-old Queenslander, who grew up playing soccer in Gympie, says he has “more to give”.
The Magpies cut Keeffe (pictured) after he failed to play a senior game in 2017. It was his first season back after a two-year suspension for taking a banned substance.
The last of his 40 senior games was in August 2014.
His best chance of a lifeline will come later this month as a delisted free agent.
“Obviously the trade period’s on at the moment and the delisted free agency [window] comes after that, so my manager’s been talking to a few clubs and there’s a bit of interest,” Keeffe told SEN.
“But footy’s a pretty fickle game. So until you sign on that dotted line it’s hard to know what’s going on.
“I really want to play on. I feel I’ve got more to give.”
A late bloomer, Keeffe was beginning to hit his straps in 2014 as a key defender before he and fellow Queenslander Josh Thomas were found to have taken the banned clenbuterol in February 2015.
He spent last season as a rookie-listed player.
“It’s been an interesting one but I’ve had a lot of support from people outside of footy, and Collingwood in that time period,” he said.
“If you’re doing something you shouldn’t be doing, then you cop your whack.
“It builds your character in one way.”
Keeffe said he would be best suited to a side needing to stock up its defence.
“That’d be first and foremost. That’s where I feel I play my best footy and hopefully I can get a crack and show my wares next year,” he said.