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SOUTH Australian midfielder Alex Villis hasn't given up hope of an AFL career despite discovering he has a heart condition just weeks before the NAB AFL Draft.
The Norwood prospect, who was named an All Australian after an impressive under-18 championships earlier this year, underwent a routine electrocardiogram in the lead-up to last month's Draft Combine.
The test showed unusual results and although his doctor wasn't sure of the issue, he advised Villis against doing any testing at the combine.
After the combine he met with a cardiologist in Adelaide, who observed the sets of results and said he was 90 per cent sure Villis had a form of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which can thicken the muscular wall of a person's heart and make it more difficult to pump blood.
"It didn't really mean much to me because I didn't know what that was. I asked all the questions and he said if I have that condition then I'll probably never be able to play competitive sport again to a high level because it gets my heart rate too high," Villis told AFL.com.au.
"When I first found out I was pretty devastated because footy was everything, but when you think about it, it is your life.
"I'm not going to give up without knowing for 100 per cent what I can and can't do. I want to see everyone I can and know everything I can so I know whether I can play footy and how I need to live the rest of my life.
"It's frustrating at this stage but I want to get more opinions over in Melbourne before I give up on it."
Villis shaped as a possible second-round pick at this month's draft before the news was delivered. He knows some clubs have already indicated the medical verdict could rule him out of contention, but is keen to get further assessment before he shuts out any chance.
"It was pretty weird when I was told about [the condition]. As soon as the cardiologist explained I probably wouldn't be able to play AFL, that's when I didn't hear too much of what else he said. I just went blank and couldn't really take anything in," he said.
"It still feels pretty raw and is a shocking feeling. Because he said that there's such a small chance that something could happen, it's pretty frustrating because I feel fine and I feel like I could play a game of footy and it wouldn't affect me."
Villis started this season with few expectations. But after showing good signs with the club's under-18 squad, he started training with Norwood's senior side after the Christmas break and quickly found his feet there. He played four games for its senior team this season.
His stocks rose during the under-18 carnival when he averaged 15 disposals as a running half-back, where Villis showed his speed and agility.
Interest grew and he met with 16 clubs across the year, something that has made his recent setback harder to take.
"As the year progressed and a few more things happened the dream of playing in the AFL became a bit more real. You get a bit excited and it gets closer to happening, so then to find this out a few weeks before the draft is pretty shocking," he said.
Should further medical opinions confirm Villis' condition, he wants to be able to stay involved in the game in some way. The past month has shown him how many people he has in his corner.
"I've had an unreal amount of messages and calls from people and support from the school and club," he said.
"You probably take it for granted a bit at times but when things like this happen you see how lucky you are to have people around you."
