Footy friends set sights on VFL season

On the eve of the 2018 VFL season, two of our brightest footy stars are dreaming big.

The speedy and skilful Ashley Krakauer will don the red and blue stripes of the famous Port Melbourne Borough (coached by Gary Ayres) for the second consecutive year, while the smooth-moving Kane Nissenbaum will pull on the boots for St Kilda’s VFL affiliate, Sandringham Zebras (coached by Aaron Hamill).

For the talented pair, an AFL berth is not realistically on the radar, at least not right now, with the pair aiming to cement their spots in two of the VFL’s proudest clubs.

Meet the dynamic duo… 

Ash Krakauer 

A prodigiously talented 19-year-old who matched it with the big boys last season standing at just 172cm and 71kg. The midfielder/small forward played eight senior VFL games including the finals series and grand final success, which he was a pivotal part of.

When he wasn’t selected at senior level he played in the now defunct VFL development league and also for AJAX on two occasions. Looking ahead to this season, Krakauer has put together a strong pre-season and is focused on cementing his spot in the reigning premiers’ lineup.

“I definitely think that it’s my spot to lose but my main objective this year is to string some good games together and perhaps consolidate a spot,” Krakauer told The AJN.

Nissenbaum and Krakauer are two of only a few known Jewish players plying their trade in the state leagues, and the honour of representing the community is not lost on them.

“I really enjoy representing the Jewish community, as we’re all products of where we come from. It’s always nice and humbling to know that you are representing your past, be that family, community, past football clubs and school,” Krakauer said.

Success has followed him over the past two seasons. He was a part of the TAC Cup premiership with the Sandringham Dragons in 2016 and then with Port Melbourne in his debut VFL season last year. But after being overlooked in two consecutive drafts, the question is whether the desire still burns to achieve his AFL dream.

“Of course I still maintain hopes of playing in the AFL, just like any other industry if you haven’t reached the level that you think you are capable of playing or working at then you continue to strive,” Krakauer said.

“But I’m not naive and I know that there are other aspects in life that are incredibly stimulating, but in short, I still would grab the opportunity to play at an AFL club if it came to me tomorrow.

“Maybe there’s a bit more closure because I am a VFL premiership player, but my intensity at training and desire is still there and I think that’s an indication that I’m still striving towards an AFL spot.”

Kane Nissenbaum 

This supremely skilful and dedicated 20-year-old has yet to make his senior VFL debut, but with a full pre-season under his belt and some strong performances on the board, it is only a matter of time.

“I’m hoping to play my four games as 23rd man, and then hopefully later in the season there will be more spots available and I’ll be able to put my hand up and sneak a few more games in,” Nissenbaum told The AJN.

The wingman played four VFL development league games last season for the Zebras after being a regular member of the Dragons’ premiership-winning side in 2016. When not selected for Sandringham this season, Nissenbaum will play for AJAX.

For a humble kid out of Leibler Yavneh College, “It’s pretty cool to play with and against AFL talent. Initially it was pretty intimidating, but they’re actually really good blokes and they get around us.

“I feel like the higher quality players and level of the game brings my own standard up.”

AARON FETTER

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