Although now, they’ll be looking at Coburg City Oval as well.
Rumbalara livewire Levy Tejones made his VFL debut on Saturday for Coburg in the club’s round two clash against Richmond, in perhaps what is only the beginning of high level football for the 21-year-old forward.
Tejones’ signing with the standalone Lions was made official in February after beginning a pre-season trial in November, but his opportunity didn’t originate with the Lions itself.
Instead, the chance came after AFL club Fremantle had scouted Tejones at local level.
“The opportunity came around because Fremantle had contacted my coach at Rumbalara,” Tejones said.
“I did a trial with Fremantle in Melbourne in October - it was sort of like draft combine testing, doing sprints, vertical jumps, agility tests.
“But they didn’t have any vision of me training or playing at a higher league so long story short they got in touch with Coburg to give me a trial in their pre-season, and they said they’ll keep an eye on me.”
While initially there were conversations about a potential VFL contract, Tejones rubbed the thought from his mind and knuckled down across the summer, travelling from Shepparton to the city’s northern suburbs for a time as he trained with Coburg’s squad.
In his first experience training at a semi-professional level since he completed Murray Bushrangers training as a junior, being offered a VFL list spot still was a shock for the goal sneak despite the interest from the top flight.
“I was a bit surprised, bit happy to get the contract for the VFL,” he said.
“It’s always been a dream to play football, and to play as high as I can.”
Tejones has clearly more than impressed in his few months in the navy blue and red.
The Rumba gun earned his club debut just a week after he missed selection in Coburg’s round one clash against newcomers Tasmania - another unexpected ‘pinch me’ moment.
“Honestly I wasn’t really expecting to get selected this year,” Tejones said.
“I’ve been giving 110 per cent in training so I was excited to be given the chance as soon as I did.
“I definitely had to adapt to the standard of training, but in the practice matches I felt like I was able to get used to the pace of the game, so coming into the game I was pretty confident.”
Tejones left no doubts about his football ability on the field.
Kicking a maiden goal to boot with 11 disposals, Tejones craftily played his role in Coburg’s 23-point win over the Tigers, a side featuring a plethora of AFL-listed talent.
It silenced any impostor syndrome in his mind, proving to himself he belongs at the level.
“When I came on in the first quarter I felt like I gelled really well with team,” Tejones said.
“I was rapt (to kick a goal). The main thing I love doing is kicking goals.
“I’ve been a bit shy getting to know the boys but the goal gave me a lot of belief.”
If Tejones isn’t selected for future VFL games this season, he’ll be back in the Goulburn Valley plying his trade with his Murray Football League side, backing the boys in blue, black, yellow and red, to reach finals in 2026.
“I was coming up a day a week to train with Rumba, but I haven’t been there for a while since I moved to Melbourne,” Tejones said.
“Last time I checked things were tracking well though, and hopefully we’ll be good again this year and make finals.”
But with eyes on Tejones at the Dockers, Rumbalara may be just a stepping stone for the forward’s footballing future.
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