Keegan Brooksby’s debut against Hawthorn on the weekend was a just reward for persistence in a sport that is rarely fair. The mature-aged rookie earned a maiden appearance at the elite level on the back of an impressive collection of performances in the NEAFL which demanded selection in the seniors.
 
The 24-year-old was widely regarded as the best ruckman outside the AFL last year after a dominant season for South Adelaide in the SANFL. After being overlooked in the national draft, Scott Clayton and the SUNS recruiting team snaffled the undersized ruckman with pick No. 42 in the rookie draft.
 
His efforts since December have seen him rise up the ranks inside Metricon Stadium, culminating with a trip to the Apple Isle last weekend to battle Hawthorn pair Jonathon Ceglar and David Hale.
 
Brooksby joined an elite club at Aurora Stadium when he kicked a goal with his first kick in league football. He finished the game with 12 hitouts, seven disposals and five tackles, and never looked overawed by the experience.
 
“(It was) a fantastic experience for me personally. I’ve put a fair bit of work in over the years so to be rewarded with a first game was pretty special for me and also my family and the people who have supported me along the way,” Brooksby told SUNS TV.
 
“It’s definitely something that everyone speaks about, the speed and the quickness of the game was definitely a step up from NEAFL level and even SANFL level. It’s a bit of a jump.
 
“I think I adjusted pretty well to it and picked it up quite quickly. Playing a few NAB Cup games earlier certainly helped with that. I don’t think I was overawed by it at any stage. Hopefully continue to build on it.”
 
Given his age and lack of size for his position – he stands at 197cm – Saturday was a day that would have appeared like a distant dream for some time. Despite not turning his attention to football properly until the last couple of years, playing AFL was always something Brooksby hoped for. He just had to wait a little longer than most.
 
“I suppose I’ve been asked this a little bit. I always hoped it would come, I wasn’t entirely sure that it would but I tried to do everything that I could in my power to make it happen. Obviously the result is that I’ve got there in the end and hopefully I’ve got a few more up my sleeve,” Brooksby said.
 
Brooksby lauded the influence of Gold Coast’s No. 1 ruckman Tom Nicholls on his development at the SUNS. The pair combined strongly in their first appearance together, breaking even with the reigning premiers ruck division in Tasmania.
 
“Tommy’s been fantastic for me since I’ve been here. Just his physical nature and the way that he conducts himself gives me a fair bit of confidence in what I’m doing. Being able to bounce ideas off him and being able to work with him certainly helps,” Brooksby said.
 
Mature-aged rookie success stories have become part of football folklore in the last decade. Its far too early to tell whether or not Brooksby can join a growing list of late-blooming footballers to impact our game, but he showed enough signs on the weekend to suggest he will do everything he can to leave his mark.