DRAFT HOPEFUL EARNS ALL AUSTRALIAN SELECTION
By KRISTEN ALEBAKIS
Draft hopeful and former WRFL junior Buku Khamis impressed at the recent NAB AFL Under 18 Championships, earning All Australian selection.
The talented footballer has been on the radar of various AFL clubs for the past two seasons and his exciting display throughout the championships has further enhanced his draft chances.
“It was a great pleasure to be able to represent Vic Metro because it gave me the opportunity to show case my skills and more importantly learn new things and grow as a player and person,” he said.
“I was quite happy with my performances during the champs because I felt I was able to show my strengths as a defender consistently.”
Khamis has always been an exciting talent, he was the Under 16 Division 2 Best and Fairest winner in 2015 and Under 14 Best and Fairest winner 2014 with St Albans.
He represented the WRFL on two occasions and was a part of the David Rodan Squad four years ago.
“My highlight of playing in the WRFL was my first season with St Albans because it was my first real taste of football,” he said.
“I had so much fun running around with my mates on Sunday mornings. Can’t forget about the halftime oranges too.”
In December, Khamis trained with the Western Bulldogs and is a member of the Western Bulldogs’ Next Generation Academy.
Luke Beveridge earlier this month also stated he was a fan of Khamis, and that the Bulldogs recruiters had plenty to consider following his standout performance during the Under 18 Championships.
Khamis, who was a refugee from South Sudan, moved to Australia in 2006 with is parents and brothers.
He hadn’t heard of AFL before coming to Australia and has now since paved a way to becoming an AFL player.
“It would be such an awesome achievement for me if I was to get drafted by an AFL club this year,” he said.
“I get to proudly represent everyone that’s help me along the way and become a role model for my South Sudanese community.”
Khamis said his goal for the rest of the season was to play consistent football with the Western Jets and hopefully play TAC Cup finals.
