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Bigs can impact on AFLX says Giant Keeffe

Greater Western Sydney recruit Lachlan Keeffe says there's still a role for the bigs in the fast-paced AFLX.

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Source: AAP


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Greater Western Sydney recruit Lachlan Keeffe says there's a role for the bigs to play in AFLX, despite suggestions the format suits smaller, quicker players.

Former Collingwood big Keeffe will have his first run in GWS colours in the last of the three AFLX tournaments on Saturday, at Sydney's Allianz Stadium.

GWS, Sydney, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Richmond and the Western Bulldogs will fight it out in a venue primarily used by the A-League's Sydney FC, rugby's NSW Waratahs and the NRL's Sydney Roosters.

Keeffe was snapped up late last year by GWS after being released by the Pies.

The 204cm Keeffe, who can play key positions or in the ruck, was heartened by the impact some of the bigs had in Thursday's first AFLX tournament in Adelaide.

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"As you saw last night, there's still room for guys who are fit enough and play with a little bit more size like a (Mark) Blicavs, or someone like that, who played quite well last night, but still covered the ground," Keeffe told AAP.

"I dare say a lot of people last night wouldn't have thought they would see Tom Hawkins playing AFLX, but he went out there and played the first game and played the final as well.

"There's still probably a role for you at times when you play in that standard tall position."

On Saturday, the 27-year-old Keeffe, who is most comfortable in the backline, can boost his campaign to push for a first senior game since 2014.

A two-year doping ban sidelined him in 2015-16 and he played in the VFL in 2017, when he was used as a forward.

"When I came up and spoke to the Giants recently, I said to (head coach) Leon (Cameron), 'I'm not coming up here to spend a year playing twos'," Keefe said.

"He's obviously not promised me anything because nothing in AFL is promised, but I said to him, "I'm not going to come up here and waste my time or yours if I didn't want to be here'.

"I haven't played a senior game since 2014. I've been around the AFL system for quite a while now and I've only played 40 games.

"I feel like I'm better than I've shown so, hopefully through a different system and some more opportunities, I can prove to myself and other people that I deserve another chance."

The Giants on Friday reported an operating surplus of $26,908.


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