Found this article about Justin Kahlefeldt on BF:
SHARKS FLYER A GREAT FITThursday 23 July 2009
He is most probably the fittest man in the QAFL Velocity Sports Cup and he is a key to Southport’s quest for a sixth consecutive grand final appearance, reports Inside Football.
Justin Kahlefeldt has been an outstanding acquisition for the Sharks since moving north last year and is one of the favourites for the Grogan Medal for the best player in the competition.
He has already shown himself to be a big-match performer, starring in Southport’s premiership victory last season, being Queensland’s second best player in the interstate clash against Tasmania last month, and shining in a badly beaten team against the might of the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba two weeks ago.
Kahlefeldt is blessed with the rare balance of speed and endurance, although it runs strongly in the genes.
Originally for the Wagga Tigers, where he debuted as a 16-year-old, and via the Wodonga Raiders, he became hooked on the Gold Coast after being a regular visitor to catch up with his brother Brad, who just happens to be an Olympic triathlete.
It was Southport’s good fortune when he walked in the door looking for a game and neither party has looked back.
Kahlefeldt has taken his game to a new level in 2009, moving onto a wing after being a goalkicking half-forward last season.
“I was pretty happy with the way I played last year although you can be in and out of the game playing at half-forward,’” he said.
“Playing up the ground is something I really wanted to do because there are so many more opportunities.”
Kahlefeldt virtually picked himself for the State team last month and collected 20 possessions, made four tackles and kicked 1.2 in a well beaten side.
“It was a really good experience although obviously the result wasn’t great,” he said. “It shows you a higher standard and that you can take it up to another level.”
Kahlefeldt’s form should have him on the radar of the new Gold Coast club which is expected to field a team in the VFL next year. Still only 21, he has all the attributes to be a valuable ‘mature’ age player.
However, he is only looking ahead as far as September, a month where Southport have never not featured in their 26 years in the QAFL competition.
Kahlefeldt certainly enjoys the winning culture, playing in more wins in the first half of his debut season at Fankhauser Reserve than he had in the previous three years.
“It was a bit of an eye-opener and it was nice to be on the other end of the stick,” he said.
He described last year’s premiership win as ‘a bit surreal’, the Sharks coming from 22 points down 12 minutes into the final term to steal victory over Morningside.
It was a memorable year considering he made a dash to China to watch Brad compete in the Beijing Olympics.
“It’s not the sort of place I probably would have gone to, so it was a good experience,” Kahlefeldt said. “It was just a pity for Brad that he was a little bit injured going into his race.”
Justin trains with his brother during the summer months when Brad is not away competing, and another brother Jarrod joined him at Fankhauser this season, only to undergo an ankle reconstruction early in the season.
Justin was again in Southport’s best players when they beat Mt Gravatt last weekend, virtually ending the Vultures’ hopes of playing finals football.
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