23 Lachlan Keeffe

Choose another player Ball, Luke - [12] Beams, Dayne - [17] Blair, Jarryd - [11] Brown, Nathan - [16] Buckley, Simon - [27] Ceglar, Jonathon - [29] Clarke, Martin - [9] Cloke, Travis - [32] Dawes, Chris - [31] Didak, Alan - [4] Elliott, Jamie - [35] Fasolo, Alex - [1] Gault, Corey - [44] Goldsack, Tyson - [6] Johnson, Ben - [26] Jolly, Darren - [18] Keeffe, Lachlan - [23] Krakouer, Andrew - [3] Macaffer, Brent - [30] Maxwell, Nick - [5] O'Brien, Heritier - [8] Paine, Jackson - [33] Pendlebury, Scott - [10] Reid, Ben - [20] Rounds, Luke - [14] Seedsman, Paul - [40] Shaw, Heath - [39] Sidebottom, Steele - [22] Sinclair, Ben - [28] Swan, Dane - [36] Tarrant, Chris - [2] Thomas, Dale - [13] Thomas, Josh - [24] Toovey, Alan - [34] Ugle, Kirk - [37] Wellingham, Sharrod - [21] Witts, Jarrod - [15] Wood, Cameron - [19] Yagmoor, Peter - [38] Young, Tom - [25]

The Player - Should he cement himself as a senior player, Keeffe may represent National Recruiting Manager Derek Hine's greatest success story. Plucked from a Queensland talent search, Keeffe had barely touched a Sherrin before walking in the door at Collingwood. Three years of development culminated in his debut in 2011 and some promising showings at AFL level. Has a long reach, has great agility and has the capacity to play in key position posts at both ends of the ground as well as pinch hit in the ruck. His best matches have been played at centre half back in the VFL. Looms as an intriguing prospect for 2012.

2011
Received his share of publicity in the pre-season when experts touted him as a possible replacement for the injured Nathan Brown at full back. Blooded in the NAB Cup where he played three games in a key defensive post, but missed the NAB Cup premiership. Couldn’t find a place in the side when the home and away season commenced, but did not slip out of view completely as he was named as an emergency for six matches.

Finally broke through for his AFL debut in round 16 against North Melbourne, albeit playing as a key forward (he replaced the injured Chris Dawes). The sodden conditions didn’t faze him on debut, and a fortnight later impressed greatly kicking 3.2 against Gold Coast. Was omitted after round 19 and only played once more before a glut of senior players returned for the finals. Used as a part of the substitute system in his final two matches.

2010
Was switched to the backline by VFL coach Gavin Brown and he took some big steps in his new role, being named in the best on six occasions. Played 20 VFL matches, including one final, wearing Anthony Rocca's No. 23.

2009
Played 20 games in the VFL in his first year on the rookie list, and was named in the best twice. Assigned the No. 44, Keeffe spent most of his season in the ruck, with stints in key positions at both ends of the ground. Had the invaluable experience of playing in three VFL finals, including the victories over the Casey Scorpions and Williamstown.

2008
Was not permitted to play for Collingwood until late in the season. Learnt the game playing for Old Trinity in the Amateurs, and represented Queensland in the U18 National Championships mid-year.

He debuted for Collingwood in the VFL in round 16 against Geelong, and played four more games for the rest of the year. Officially became a rookie listed player in December, when he was selected by Collingwood with the 69th selection in the Rookie Draft.

2007
Pre-listed by Collingwood with the AFL’s permission after he was spotted by Collingwood’s National Recruiting Manager Derek Hine at the AFL Queensland rookie search. Keeffe had only played a handful of games with his school team prior to Collingwood listing him, and he had not had any experience Australian Football prior to 2007.

Debut
Round 16 2011 v North Melbourne at the MCG.

Draft History
2010 AFL National Draft (Collingwood) No. 92 overall;
2008 AFL Rookie Draft (Collingwood) No. 69 overall.