By Tara Murray
Calder Cannons’ Felix Kneipp is hoping an injury setback won’t hold him back too much as he chases his AFL dream
Kneipp was one of five Cannons named in the Vic Metro squad but is set to spend most if not all the national championships on the side lines.
A back injury means he’s currently limited to just 30 minutes a day on the spin bike as he de-loads his back.
“I’ve experienced a bit of a setback unfortunately,” Kneipp said in the lead up to the championships.
“I’ve done a stress response in my back sidelined for 8-12 weeks which definitely puts a spanner in the works in terms of Metro, Cannons and school.
“I have such a good group around me supporting me, helping me through this period, come out the other side hungrier,
“I’m ready to show off what I’m capable of and I’ll still be around all of the different programs and different groups.”
Kneipp said his focus at the moment was getting bit and healthy having been underdone in the off season.
He was hoping to maybe play some Vic Metro later in the championships and be able to show what he is capable of.
Kneipp said making Vic Metro was a massive achievement.
“I’m really grateful, looking forward to what is to come,” he said. “It’s always a big piece of the draft process.
“It’s a really good pathway let your talent shine through and give yourself an opportunity to show what you are capable of, so it was definitely a goal going into the year
“Proud of being able to tick it off.”
Having been part of Vic Metro at under-16 level and been part of the pathway system, Kneipp said it had made the process a lot easier.
“I know a lot of the guys that were part of the summer hub as well,” he said. “It definitely provides valuable insight into the standard you have to uphold and the level you need to reach.
“It’s certainly been a helpful part of my journey.”
Metro caps off a big 12 months for Kneipp.
He was part of the Vic Metro hub over the summer and had the chance to talk to AFL clubs.
Kneipp also had the opportunity to play on the MCG on grand final day as part the young gun games.
“That was awesome,” he said. “It was a late call up and I was very disappointed initially and then to get the call up, it was super thrilling.
“To play on the MCG around the best guys in Australia and I thought I was pretty happy with how I played,
“Just to have that experience and play on the ground that I’ve watched so many games on with the best guys in Australia.”
Kneipp said he was focusing on what he could control for ahead of what hopefully ends up with him being drafted.
“Everyone is aspiring to be on an AFL list come November. I’m taking it week by week, and not looking too far into the future.”
