Move north worth it

A FORMER TSL star sitting third on the South Australian goalkicking list says Tasmania’s top young talent should not be afraid to test themselves interstate.

Aiden Grace left Glenorchy over the summer to play for Central District in the SANFL.

He made the move because he wanted to play at the highest level possible.

While he is realistic about his chances of being drafted to AFL level, he’s booted bags of four goals on debut against North Adelaide and five against the Crows.

“I wouldn’t say I am chasing to get drafted, I just think I had a bit more to give,” said Grace, who also played with Clarence as a teenager and spent time with Geelong in the VFL.

The SANFL is awash with Tasmanian talent in 2021 with the likes of Kieran Lovell and Jackson Callow also making the move north.

“If you want to take that next step and go to the next level you’ve just got to test yourself and you’ve got to be uncomfortable,” said Grace, who moved to SA with partner Laura Giffard and young children Sonny, 3, and Lulu, 1.

“If you’re getting too comfortable at home, which I did last year and the year before, you become complacent in a way and you start to relax. It’s pleasing to see younger blokes doing it now (moving to top mainland leagues) and that’s the hardest time to do it. We have a lot of good young footballers in Tassie who are ready to take that next step.”

Grace, 23, doesn’t have to look far for motivation with former Clarence teammate and Central District stalwart Ian Callinan being drafted to the Crows at age 27.

“People who know ‘Wingnut’ know that he persisted and persisted, kept playing his best footy and got himself really fit in 2010-11 and ended up being drafted,” Grace said.

“It just goes to show that if you keep persisting and playing the best footy you can, anything is possible.

“If I give this a good crack for 2-4 years, who knows, at least I know that I’ve given it a crack.

“I’ve done my part and you have some peace of mind that you’ve tried your hardest.”