Fremantle forward Sebit Kuek is about to embark on the toughest period of his football career as he rehabilitates an ACL injury, however the 22-year-old should be well equipped to handle the challenges ahead as he works on getting back to playing his best football.
A week prior to sustaining the injury, Kuek sat down for the first episode of a mini-podcast series of The Final Siren with Duck and Oz, where he spoke about his football journey, his inspirations and where he wants to grow both as a player and a person.
Since the injury, Kuek has remained his usual upbeat self at the Club, with Michael Walters remarking at his positivity and wondering if Kuek was even injured.
In the interview, Kuek highlighted Walters as a key influence since he arrived in the 2022 mid-season draft.
“Sonny Walters, he’s been telling me to be myself,” Kuek said.
“If I’m getting too many messages, I can get into my own head. He just tells me ‘you’re a beast, go and play off your natural instinct. See ball and get ball, you’ll be fine’.”
It’s this instinctive side that has made Kuek stand out in the WAFL, both when he was playing for East Perth prior to being drafted, and with Peel in his time at Fremantle.
His standout performance this year came against Perth for Peel in June, kicking six goals including a brilliant individual effort that is in the running for goal of the season.
“As a kid, I was a really big fan of Buddy Franklin. He can do things other people can’t pull off, and I try and do the same. Sometimes I get in trouble for it, but I’ll cop it!” Kuek said.
“I’ve kicked a lot of 'almost' goals where at the end I just don’t get it right. I remember my fifth game of league football (for East Perth), I got the ball halfway down the ground and took a run. I had two or three bounces and kicked the goal and then the umpire said I ran too far.
“The one against Perth, that was a pretty good one because I stepped around a guy and got the job done that time.”
Kuek’s motivation goes beyond the highlight reel, wanting to play an important mentoring role to his family as well as disadvantaged youth in Perth.
“I’m really close to my family. If I’m not (at the Club) and on my off days, I go out and see my family,” Kuek said.
“I have three little brothers. I just want to see them do well for themselves because (they live in a) bit of a rough area sometimes. There’s a lot of crime out there and I don’t want them to go down that path.
“I want them to do something good and be productive.
“If I can inspire little kids, make them want to strive for better and do better for themselves, that’s all I can ask for. That will put a smile on my face.”
