Punt Road not the only road for Kade Klemke
By Ben Broad
Fri 12 December, 2008
DESPITE spending almost two weeks training at Richmond, hopeful Kade Klemke isn’t putting all his eggs in a yellow and black basket ahead of Tuesday's NAB AFL Pre-Season and Rookie Drafts.
Klemke, who in 2008 captained the Murray Bushrangers to the TAC Cup premiership, acknowledges that Punt Road is his best chance of earning a permanent spot on an AFL list next year.
But the heartache of draft day – or at least that suffered by those closest to him – has taught him not to go counting any chickens.
Klemke was one of those borderline prospects heading into last month's national draft.
Fancied by a few clubs, he was rated a 50-50 chance to be selected – if he was to go, it was going to be late.
When his name wasn't called in the dying stages, some took it harder than the youngster himself.
"I was with the family … they were probably a bit more disappointed than I was," Klemke said.
"They were pretty upset, and I tried to put a smile on their face.
"I felt good still, I felt confident. If you're not playing AFL footy it's not meant to be, but it doesn’t mean you stop trying."
Immediately following the draft, the Tigers were on the phone, inviting him down to training.
Within a couple of days he had packed his bags, and has since been staying with defender Will Thursfield and living the life of every other professional footballer at this time of year.
The only difference is he's not getting paid – he's still an aspirant – and yet to reach the status that fellow Bushrangers such as Jack Ziebell and Steele Sidebottom now enjoy.
He has nevertheless relished the chance to train alongside some of the Tigers' big guns over the past two weeks.
"I'm loving it, it's been great fun," Klemke said of his time at Punt Road.
"You're doing what you love … it's a great experience, I'll take a lot out of it."
The Tigers are also applying for an extra pre-season selection should the AFL give the club clearance to place Graham Polak on the rookie list.
Klemke said he didn't believe the prospect of former Eagle Ben Cousins joining the Tigers – should that speculation be fulfilled – would make a difference to his chances.
"I'd be happy to get picked up any way," Klemke said.
"I hope there are other clubs that want me [too]. There are more rookie picks this year, so who knows what might happen."
For now he must keep up his work on the track, although he admits to feeling the pressure more than in the lead-up to the last intake.
"[I'm] pretty nervous, probably more nervous than the actual [national] draft," Klemke said.
"You know, this is it. There's nothing else after this."
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