Norwood’s Matt Panos still hopeful of AFL opportunity after contracting dengue fever on holiday

NORWOOD midfielder Matt Panos is recovering from dengue fever but is confident the setback will not affect his AFL draft prospects.

Norwood AFL draft prospect Matt Panos, pictured in August, is recovering from dengue fever. Pic Keryn Stevens.

NORWOOD midfielder Matt Panos is recovering from dengue fever but is confident the setback will not affect his AFL draft prospects.

Panos, 23, attended the state draft combine on Saturday but did not participate in the physical testing on doctors’ advice after contracting the mosquito-borne disease on holiday in Thailand last month.

He was hospitalised with headaches and abdominal pain before spending the last part of the trip bedridden in his hotel.

“I thought it might have been food poisoning,” Panos said.

“It progressively got worse so I decided to go see a doctor and get a blood test.

“When you’ve got it you’ve got no energy, can’t really do anything and feel sick and tired.

“It wasn’t a great end to the trip.”

The illness followed a stellar season during which Panos transformed from a key forward to a big-bodied midfielder and won the Jack Oatey Medal after Norwood’s grand final win.

The former Western Bulldog said he was initially concerned the illness might hinder his chances of being drafted next month.

“I’m gradually improving and feel a lot better than I did a week or two ago.

“I’m pretty fit and think I’ve got a good immune system so it probably cleared out a little quicker.”

Panos underwent the standard psychological examinations at the combine and planned to do the fitness tests he missed in a few weeks.

“It’ll be done by the SANFL so they can do the exact same tests with the same protocols then I’ll send it off to the clubs.

“But I’ve had a pretty good year anyway and can’t do much from here.”