Ayden Gras dominates the BFNL after ankle reconstruction and major abdominal surgery

After an ankle reconstruction and major abdominal surgery derailed the past two years, an Anglesea forward has opened up on his stunning start to the season.

Ayden Gras and Jordan Keras celebrate a goal for the Roos. Picture: Anglesea Football Club.

After an ankle reconstruction and then major abdominal surgery, both within 12 months, Ayden Gras began to ponder his footballing future.

After that ankle issue kept him to just eight games in the back half of 2023, Gras had steeled himself for a big 24 at St Joseph’s in Geelong’s premier football competition.

However, after having his appendix out, December of that year quickly became a write off.

“I had been sick all of December (2023) after I had my appendix out,” Gras said.

“I had a huge complication from that (surgery).”

Gras would eventually go under the knife between Christmas and new year.

“It was a big open surgery so it took a fair bit out of normal life,” he said.

“I was at the point where I couldn’t really walk for a month.

“It was a laparotomy, so they cut through your abdominal (area), because of how sick I was through December, I was really foggy and stuff, it was a pretty fair recovery, I didn’t really know what I was getting into, it sort of just happened at the time.”

Ayden Gras has kicked 33 goals from his first six matches for Anglesea. Picture: Anglesea Football Club.

Gras, who works at the Cotton On head office in North Geelong with Torquay’s Tom Diamond and Bell Park’s Jacob Talbot, would have to take more than a month off to recover.

While Gras was unsure if he would return to the field in 2024, the seniors under Ron Watt would later go through an unbeaten run and it was a good excuse as any to regain his fitness.

“I took a bit of time off work and a lot of time away from footy,” he said.

“I didn’t really think I was going to play (in 2024).”

However, it was a fairly decent return to the field from early May, kicking 64 goals from 15 games in the reserves – including 20 in total across consecutive games against North Shore and St Albans – but Gras couldn’t break into the senior team.

He began to consider other options.

Having known Anglesea coach Jordan Keras from his days at Joeys, a move to Ellimatta Reserve had some appeal.

And alongside GFNL players Harrison Ling (St Mary’s) and Tevan Nofi (Leopold), Gras found a new home at the Roos as they looked to go one better after losing last year’s grand final to Torquay.

“There was always a little bit of doubt (about the decision), I’d always played at one club so it was really difficult to leave Joeys and I still talk to a lot of the boys that play there,” he said.

“I wasn’t super keen on playing between the reserves and seniors again.

“I just felt like getting some consistency in my footy ... Jordy’s always had a good relationship with me.

“He’s been huge for me since I came down, he’s been there every step of the way and he’s looked after me and made sure everyone’s been very welcoming of me.

“It’s been awesome.”

Ayden Gras has been in sensational form for Anglesea. Picture: Anglesea Football Club.

Starting pre-season in November, Gras said strength and conditioning coach Billy Zebra also played an integral in getting him into top nick.

And for the first time in two years, Gras had been able to launch into a footy season following proper off-season preparation.

With silver service from the likes of Keras, Lachlan Smith and the returning Dale Kerr, Gras is leading the BFNL for goals with 33 already from six matches, playing as the club’s deepest forward.

Ayden Gras flies for a mark against Geelong Amateur. Picture: Phil Yeo

With four bags of six, Gras went to the mid-season break with eight against a resurgent Portarlington.

It’s the best haul since Torquay’s Lucas Anderson kicked 56 from 10 matches in the shortened 2021 season.

“Some of those boys are giving me some really good service,” a modest Gras said.

“They’re always looking for me and putting it in good spots, it makes my job a bit easier.

“I do my best to kick straight and not let the demons get into me (laughs).”

Meanwhile, the Roos – who have had their injury concerns before the season began with Nofi still sidelined with a dislocated elbow – have made a habit of winning the close ones.

Anglesea has beaten Drysdale, Barwon Heads and Portarlington by an average of three points.

Ayden Gras with St Joseph’s during the 2022 GFNL season. Picture: Alan Barber

Gras said while the Tigers and Geelong Amateur appear to be the teams to beat in 2025, the BFNL had tightened significantly.

“We’ve loving going up against a really even comp where there’s heaps of good teams,” he said.

“It’s a great challenge, there’s no real games where we look at and go: ‘we’re going to roll through this week’.

“Torquay and Geelong Amateur’s records speak for themselves, they’re really well-run teams.

“Historically (Portarlington) haven’t been great but they really took it to us.

“It’s good to see some other teams really starting to challenge and push the league as a whole to be better.”

Originally published as Ayden Gras dominates the BFNL after ankle reconstruction and major abdominal surgery