Kym LeBois ready to follow uncles into AFL with several clubs interested in drafting him
SOUTH Australian small forward Kym LeBois has attracted the interest of a host of AFL clubs and can lean on some famous family members for advice.
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KYM LeBois sat in the AAMI Stadium stands and watched uncle Alwyn Davey run amok.
The Essendon goalsneak hunted and harassed Port Adelaide players from siren to siren as he kept on creating scoring chances.
It was a similar story when that same year LeBois went along and locked his eyes on Melbourne’s Aaron Davey.
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LeBois hadn’t seen many AFL games live and watching his uncles at the height of their careers lit his passion to make it.
The small forward should be taken in the second half of next Friday’s draft — and would add spark and smarts.
Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon, Fremantle and Geelong were quick to interview LeBois multiple times this year as they try to work out where the South Australian stands.
Blues coach Brendon Bolton sat in on one of their interviews with his side keen to add to its scoring potency, while the Cats’ need for speed is clear.
LeBois hasn’t worked closely with the Davey brothers, but there is another uncle who has offered regular advice — 1993 Brownlow Medallist Gavin Wanganeen.
“I see him and say hello and he says, ‘How’s footy going? How’s school going? Are you going to get drafted? How are you going personally, how’s school?’,” LeBois said.
“I’ve watched my uncles’ highlights throughout the years and try to take stuff out of their games.
“A long time ago I watched both Aaron and Alwyn play at AAMI Stadium. I noticed how quick they were.
“I noticed that Froggy Davey puts on a lot of pressure in the forward line, as well as Aaron. I’ve tried to do that all year, kick goals, use my speed and be confident.”
LeBois used to barrack for the Dons and Dees but stopped supporting a club once his family retired.
The Ceduna product bravely battled knee tendinitis playing for South Australia this year while his journey began at famous club Koonibba, one of the oldest indigenous clubs in the land.
LeBois celebrated two premierships in one day in 2013, winning the under-17s and A-grade flags and taking the best-afield medal in the 17s.
The agile goalkicker pushed through the championships with sharp pain in his knee, which he couldn’t extend.
“I didn’t really want to play first game, I was unsure how I would perform,” he said.
“But I played all four games with strapping over the knee to stop it extending.
“I was a bit uncomfortable and going into most contests and I was trying to favour the knee and stop it from hurting.”
LeBois relocated from Ceduna to Adelaide two years ago and believes that experience has him well-placed to shift interstate.
“It would mean a lot actually (to get drafted),” he said.
“To do what my uncles have done and bring the LeBois name out on the track and basically put my name out there and show my talent would mean everything.”
Originally published as Kym LeBois ready to follow uncles into AFL with several clubs interested in drafting him
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