From Maryborough to Lake Wendouree to the Greater Western Victoria Rebels, it's been quite a journey for Kai Lohmann, one of the Rebels draft prospects this season.
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It is a journey that could have another chapter added to it, as he hopes to be picked in the AFL national draft on November 24 and 25.
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It is a move that he is glad he, his mum Brooke and brother Jake took on.
"I think it's been a huge change and a bit of a good change as well," he said.
"Coming from a small town where not many people will be in this position right now to Ballarat where there's so much more opportunities.
"Mum's sort of set me and Jake up for the better. I think it's going to compliment as well if I had to move interstate, from moving and trying to make friends again and trying to prove yourself as well, so it's such a good change and I think it's benefited me and my family."
Jake has been a help for Kai, having been through the Rebels program and playing a handful of games for North Melbourne's VFL side, while Brooke has been his biggest help through it all.
"He (Jake) has been huge for me, I think just leaning off him, he's obviously been through the system ... him motivating me and telling me to push, I'm not only living my dream but I'm living his dream as well, so I think that's pretty cool," he said.
"Mum's been huge as well, she's made a lot of sacrifices for not only me but for Jake as well. Moving jobs, moving from friendship groups ... and dropping everything for us kids.
"Single parent trying to afford all our sporting stuff, that all adds up, I think she's done a great job and I couldn't thank her enough, she's been my number one supporter over it all."
The 18-year-old is hopeful of hearing his name called out after chatting to 14 clubs.
"Obviously love to stay in Victoria with the family," he said.
"If it did come to (moving) interstate, I'd be willing to take the opportunity.
"Obviously with Harry (Sharp) and his feedback of what Brisbane's like, he seems to love it, so I would be fine with going over to another state."
Lohmann entered the season known as a player with x-factor, his pace and leap strong parts of his game.
However, it has been his consistent play as a high half-forward, especially in the second-half of the season, that was most noticeable, something he worked on.
"Deeks (David Loader) was pretty heavily on me about defensive pressure, obviously have an offensive game with showing my x-factor and showing what I can do with the footy," he said.
"When I don't have the footy, what am I doing, so defensive pressure, chasing ...
"I think defensive pressure and then having that mindset really set me up and I stayed more involved in the game which helped me be more consistent and have not such inconsistent quarters."
Lohmann averaged 15.33 disposals, 3.3 tackles, 3.11 inside 50s and kicked five goals.
His calmness with the ball, strong skills and athleticism were noticeable.
Like every athlete, there are facets of his game that he will continue to work on.
"The main one's just inconsistency ... defensive pressure ... always trying to improve on my strengths and a huge one's been goal kicking this year ...," he said.
"Always trying to improve on kicking and my marking and my leading patterns as well ..."
With the 2020 season being cancelled and 2021 seeing the Rebels play nine games, players haven't been able to play in front of recruiters much, which Lohmann admits has been odd as he tried to prove his capabilities.
"It's been difficult, through injury as well, I think I missed the last two pre-seasons," he said.
"Not always being under the scope, we only played half a season this year and I was starting to come good as well, so I think a lot of people had a lot more in the tank where they could've shown and proved themselves."
Lohmann said a strong Rebels squad and coaching group made it a positive year for him, despite the hardships with the stop-start nature of the season.
"I think having such a great group and so many people heading for the same goal (is) so motivating," he said.
"Especially (watching) one of your best mates going for the draft (in) Sammy (Butler), I think it's been huge for me and motivating me to get the extras in ... and try to bring something to the team to where I can be respected as well as a good player and a good teammate.
"The coaching staff's been huge for me this year ... it's been good having him (David Loader) in my corner and him being as honest as he is and such a great person and a coach as well, he's been huge for me.
"As well as Jason Lappin as well, I've worked really closely with him on what I'm doing right and what I'm not doing right as well."
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