Herald Sun |
LEWIS Rankin reminded everyone what football is all about on Monday night.
Born with a right arm that ends at his elbow, the 21-year-old Hepburn wingman polled a remarkable 16 votes to finish runner-up in the Central Highlands Football League reserves best and fairest.
His president at Hepburn Football Club Jason Olver said there were no limits with Rankin.
"He came to us this year with a few of his mates from University at Ballarat and is just a very good young bloke and a really good player," Olver said.
"You can't help but think what he would be like with both arms."
For Rankin, who polled 16 votes to finish four behind Lawrence Perks of Bungaree, the fact he doesn't have a full right arm is of no great consequence.
"I have never known anything else so you just learn to deal with it," he said.
"I have never been a Tom Hawkins-like mark and tend to take everything on the chest.
"Picking up the ball is the hardest part and in recent years I've had to learn how to kick on my left foot, given I drop the ball from that side."
He said opponents have always been respectful.
One of those opponents is Perks, who said he had nothing but the highest admiration for Rankin's achievements.
"We only played them once and I wasn't aware of his disability," he said.
"By quarter time we started to talk about Lewis because he was killing us."
With the Hepburn reserves not playing finals, Rankin is training with the seniors in the hope of finals action.
If not, he will get ready for the cricket season where he operates as a a left-arm swing bowler and number 11 batsman.
By Jon Anderson
Article first appeared The Herald Sun Aug 31 2013