NEWLY-SIGNED Demon Kye Turner is still coming to terms with his status as an AFL footballer after treading an unusual path to the game’s elite level.
Following an impressive pre-season, Kye Turner has secured the final list spot for the 2023 season at the Demons.
The 21-year-old Turner comes into Melbourne via an unconventional route, plying the majority of his trade with Old Haileybury in the VAFA before lining up twice with the Frankston Dolphins.
“I’m over the moon, coming in as an overage player at 21 I’m stoked, it hasn’t really sunk in yet,” Turner told Melbourne Media.
“Initially I played soccer and footy on Saturdays, but after some back issues I had to get rid of soccer and then started playing at Old Haileybury.
“With a game at Sandringham Dragons during the covid interrupted season, played the whole year at Old Haileybury, then I signed for Frankston and towards the end of the year I played a few games which I thought went pretty well."
Coming in with a couple of VFL games under his belt, Turner felt right at home being supported by his now new teammates.
“It was pretty nerve wracking for sure but all the boys, especially all the backs, were all unreal and really welcoming and made my life really easy which was good,” Turner says.
“All the key backs like Maysie (May), Petts (Petty), Tommo (Tomlinson) and Rick (Lever) have been unreal, every session just helping and guiding me in learning the game plan.
“I can’t thank them enough, Chappy (Chaplin) as well the backs coach.”
Turner came in fit and ready for a big pre season and took it in his stride using his athleticism to bring his best footy to the Dees.
“I did a lot of work, like out of the summer and have a few pre-seasons under my belt, like local footy and at Frankston, so made it a bit easier,” he says.
“I’d say I’m pretty versatile, I feel like I'm pretty athletic and I've got speed and good endurance so I can use my athleticism, get in front of my man and spoil when I can.
“I try and help create offense, and then just try to win one on ones and help the team as best I can."
A sense of relief comes with the news to Turner with the clarity of signing on with all eyes turning to the season coming up.
“It's good to just like have a bit of clarity around what I'm doing over the last couple of weeks. I wasn't sure like any session could have been my last. So it'll be good to just push forward now I'm on the list for a year and I can just get to work and start playing games,” says Turner.
