How Port Adelaide star Karl Amon went from a wheelchair to rising AFL star

UNABLE to walk for years due to a bone disease, Karl Amon is now flying as Port Adelaide embraces expectation against Fremantle.

UNABLE to walk for years due to a bone disease, Karl Amon is now flying as Port Adelaide embraces expectation against Fremantle.

Afflicted by Perthes’ disease, Amon required five operations to correct bone growth in his hip and didn’t play football until aged 10.

Amon’s personal battle — intermittently wheelchair and hospitable bound aged five to eight — seemed a world away with a stunning three-goal contribution against Gold Coast Suns on Saturday night.

“I think I was pretty lucky to get in the right position at the right time. I got the ball and was lucky to finish with a few goals,” said modest Amon, whose exquisite left-foot skills were elevated in wet conditions during Port’s 37-point win at Metricon Stadium.

“I think the conditions played a part but we just wanted to play a territory game and if I got the chance I would finish the work.”

Pick No. 68 in the 2013 national AFL draft, 20-year-old Amon is making up for lost time. Small forward Amon, midfielders Brendon Ah Chee and Sam Gray are moving in the final month this season from the periphery at Alberton to the first choice cohort that provides premiership depth.

“It certainly does give us young boys that taste for AFL footy. It is going to give us that hunger to go get a spot in the pre-season then try and get a permanent spot next year,” Amon said.

“It is really good for me and Brendon Ah Chee. For Sam Gray to come in and have 37 touches, he is in outstanding form. To come in to that role is really important.”

Port has folded in the face of expectation this season but won five of its past six games.

Suddenly, ninth-placed Port is favoured to overcome top side Fremantle in the final regular season game at Adelaide Oval next Saturday.

Ross Lyon’s top-ranked Dockers will want to keep some powder dry for the finals while Port wants to sell hope to fans for 2016.

“It will be a really good test for us. I think we always love playing against Fremantle,” said Amon. “We gave them a good test in round one and will give them a good test running into finals.”