We defeated Camperdown to win the flag. The scores were level at quarter-time.

It was a really close encounter in the first quarter, but we ended up winning by 10 goals.

I think Camperdown only kicked one point after quarter-time.

We just put the pedal to the metal and ran away from them. I played on the half-back flank.

I was 11 years old when I started my footy career.

We used to play in the old Western Juniors Football League. I worked my way through the grades at Terang Mortlake before playing about 30 senior games with the club.

I joined Panmure for the 2013 season with my brother Dylan. I played with Panmure for 2013 and 2014 and was a member of the 2014 grand final side when we lost to Merrivale.

Simon O’Keefe was the coach at Panmure at the time. Tocka was a great coach.

He led from the front and had the players super fit.

My sporting career and my life has hit a few hurdles over the years.

Do you wish to discuss those hurdles?

I was diagnosed with cancer in June 2012. 

I was told on a Tuesday that I had testicular cancer and was rushed in for an operation on the Friday.

I never had much time to think about things.

There was no need for chemotherapy or radiotherapy. I've had regular check-ups since then and everything is great.

I had been playing footy with Panmure and moved back to Terang Mortlake for the 2015 season.

I had gone back to the doctors in March 2015 for a routine check-up when they found out I had a hole in the heart. I ended up having pin-hole surgery to fix the problem.

I never considered the hole in the heart as a major problem, because everyone is born with a hole and they heal over quickly.

But mine was the size of a 50 cent piece.

I was very lucky I had visited my oncologist and she asked if I was having problems.

She listened to my breathing and heart with her stethoscope she said she could hear a noise.

I went next door for an ultrasound and they found the hole was 1.5cm, but after further tests they found it was 3.1cm.

It was a shock to have found out that I had the cancer, but on the other hand if I had not been back to my oncologist for the check-up I might not have found out about my heart problems.

Were you tired or lethargic? Did that lead you to discover there was something wrong with your heart?

No, I had been pretty good. I showed no signs or symptoms.

I had the occasional chest pain but I felt all right.

I played the first five games of the 2015 season before going in for the operation.

I was out of action for about three months.

I played the last game of the season with Terang Mortlake’s reserve side and in the second semi-final before being dropped for the grand final. I was very disappointed I was dropped for the grand final. 

I've got to go back into hospital, probably in April, for another heart operation.

Why are you having another heart operation?

The doctors have found a slight part of tissue from the last heart operation has not bound onto the heart.

I was supposed to go in late last year, but it now looks like it will be in April.

This time I will be getting the zipper operation.

The doctors are confident the next operation will fix the problem.

I've been feeling all right, but after a check-up they found a small piece of the tissue was not right.

Away from your health issues. Have you played many other sports apart from footy?

I've played cricket and basketball.

I played junior cricket with Terang before playing in the seniors.

I've been lucky to have played in two cricket premiership sides with Terang.

The first one was in the under 16, while the other was in the seniors.

I've played a few games this season I'm there to fill in if they are short of players.

The highest score I've made is 49 not out, while I got four wickets in a division 3 game.

My basketball started in Terang and I'm still there now.

I just love basketball. I've filled various roles including playing, being referee and coaching.

What are the numbers like for basketball in Terang?

The numbers have dwindled a bit over the last few years because kids are going to university and leaving the town.

But overall, basketball still has a very strong following in the town.

It's basically a year-round sport in Terang.

One season goes from March to July while the other season is from August to November. We play each Friday night – on top of that there are representative games.

I’ve represented the Terang Tornadoes in the Country Basketball League.

We've played against sides from Corio Bay, Horsham, Stawell, Mount Gambier, Millicent, Timboon and Portland.

The season goes from October to February.

There's a lot of travel involved, but it's great to play because you're playing against some very good basketballers.

We haven't won a premiership in that competition.

However, I've been lucky to have played in about nine premierships in the domestic competition.

Can you tell me about your coaching role?

I coach the junior squad side. They have had a fair bit of success.

I would say the best thing about the coaching role is to see young kids develop their skills on the basketball courts.