Herald Sun | COUNTRY footballer Ben Klimeck can’t take a trick. The Campbells Creek forward had his lower left leg amputated after crashing his dirt bike into a kangaroo near Chewton in the state’s north.
After four years of recovery the star forward made it back onto the field — only to be benched for a season-ending finger fracture last week.
“I went to tackle a fellow, got my finger caught in his jumper and twisted or pulled it,” he said.
“I’m a bit annoyed about that. I wasn’t going to go to hospital but my partner dragged me there.”
Mr Klimeck, 29, was forced to make a life changing decision after his sudden motorbike crash metres from his home in 2011.
“I was on a dirt bike and just ducked over a hill when I was hit. I was 500 metres from home,” he said.
“I got taken to hospital with multiple injuries in my neck, wrist, ankle and leg. My foot was disfigured for 18 months and I couldn’t walk properly. I opted to have my leg chopped — it was pretty hectic.”
The long-haul interstate truckie was determined to get back into driver’s seat and onto the footy field.
“That’s all I wanted for Christmas and I ended up doing that,” he said.
“I missed it too much, I loved my footy. I just wanted to get back there.”
Mr Klimeck had his leg amputated in 2012 and by early 2013 he was playing cricket.
“I’ve been able to prove a lot of people wrong,” he said.
While recovering he also became vice president of the football club in 2012, before making president in 2013.
“I still kept involved in the club. I was on crutches but helped out behind the bar.”
On his return to the football field he racked up four games last year and 14 this season.
Many of his teammates and opponents weren’t aware of his injury — until his new limb became unstuck.
Club president David Gordois said there were many times his prosthetic leg fell off on the ground.
“When there’s wet weather his leg will get stuck in the mud,” he said.
Mr Klimeck said his long socks were a nifty disguise.
“A lot of players don’t realise (I have a prosthetic leg). They think I have a knee bandage on under my socks.”
The talented footballer aims to be at this weekend’s bottom of the table challenge, cheering on his team from the side lines.
“We’re on the bottom (of the ladder) so we had a fair chance of winning this one. I think I’m more shattered that I can’t play,” he said.
“But I’ll still be there, doing something.”
By Kara Irving