Former Kyneton junior Jack Redpath making the most of his AFL chance with Western Bulldogs

WESTERN Bulldogs forward Jack Redpath thought he might never play football again after two knee reconstructions, but the former Kyneton junior has achieved that and plenty more.

Redpath battles with Geelong defender Harry Taylor on debut against the Cats. Picture: Colleen Petch.

JACK Redpath’s hulking frame stood out more than most 15-year-old’s in Kyneton’s yellow and black playing strip.

At 100kg, Redpath was difficult to miss, but not just because of his size.

Tigers football manager Rick Egan remembers a young footballer who knew how to use his frame to his advantage.

“He was really good, even as a young player,” Egan said.

“He was a big unit, really dominant right from the day he played senior football.”

In recent weeks, Western Bulldogs fans have been getting a taste of the talent Kyneton supporters saw from a young age.

After he was named for his AFL debut against Geelong at Simonds Stadium, the first thing Redpath’s mates did was book a bus so they did not miss the occasion.

“I think there was about 35 of the boys, a few of them got a bus,” Redpath said.

“Then there was a lot of family, it was great for them to come and watch.

“It’s a pity we didn’t get the win, we played really well.

“But obviously it was a great experience just as much for the family as it was for me.”

While his football talent was never in question, it appeared certain Redpath’s future was with tools in hand after Egan took him on as a building apprentice.

But a VFL chance with the Bendigo Bombers came ­calling in 2009 and fuelled the now 22-year-old’s AFL ambitions.

Redpath would eventually return to Kyneton in 2011, booting 29 goals from nine games in the Bendigo Football League.

By that stage, former Bendigo coach Shannon Grant had been appointed as an assistant coach at the Western Bulldogs, one of a number of AFL clubs crying out for a key forward.

Redpath was invited to train with the Bulldogs, but the club made no firm commitment on drafting him.

Redpath marks against Essendon earlier this AFL season. Picture: Getty Images.

For a young footballer who had already sustained two knee reconstructions, Redpath’s hopes were high about a fairytale call-up to the big time on his 21st birthday.

But as the 2012 rookie draft dragged on, clubs started to pass and those hopes faded.

As tensions rose in the Redpath household, all the injury pain, recovery sessions and drive to play again were vindicated.

With pick 62, Redpath became a Western Bulldogs player.

“I can still remember the first day I trained there and I finished the session on the Friday before the rookie draft,” Redpath said.

“(Coach Brendan McCartney) just came up to me and whispered in my ear and said, ‘You should be really proud of yourself’.

“That will be something that sticks with me forever.”

After two seasons with the Bulldogs former VFL affiliate Williamstown, the ex-chippie is building the foundations of a successful AFL career.

Redpath said Dogs development coach Ash Hansen and former Geelong premiership players Matthew Scarlett and Cameron Mooney had helped him take the next step.

“I was at Kyneton three years ago and now I’m getting taught my craft and things to do on the field by Matthew Scarlett, who’s probably one of the greatest fullbacks ever,” Redpath said.

“Three years ago I was coming back from a second knee reconstruction just thinking that I would love to play again, let alone play AFL.”

Redpath spent the first half of 2014 banging down the selection door in Footscray’s stand-alone VFL team, slotting 24 goals in 11 games.

The key forward has kept Liam Jones out of the Bulldogs’ team since his debut, slotting two goals in his first three AFL matches.

Of all the reasons he has endeared himself to those around the Kyneton Football Club, the fact Redpath will never forget his roots is most important.

The power forward has been spotted at several BFL games this season cheering on the Tigers, whose reserves team is captained by his brother Jesse.

“I didn’t get too many wins there, but I always loved playing for the club,” he said.

“It’s great to see them up and about again.”

Egan said his former employee could make a seamless return to carpentry when his AFL career comes to an end. But most at Kyneton hope he can make a living out of his ability in front of goals, rather than with tools in hand, for many years to come.