From three-pointers to drop punts, Michael Luxford has had a whirlwind 12 months, turning his back on a promising basketball career after being offered a contract by Geelong Football Club.

Walking into the most successful club of the modern era having never played a game of football in your life would be daunting to say the least and Luxford found this out first hand.

“Last year I had no idea about footy, I thought I was going to America to play basketball. So I was just watching them on TV, kind of idolizing them, I was just a fan. So when I first got here I was kind of star struck. When I saw Jimmy and Sel it was sort of like I was in a dream.

“I’d had a kick with my brothers before, but the VFL match against Bendigo was my first game,” Luxford said.

In 2013 Luxford became the club’s latest signing under the alternative talent rules. Category B rookies must have played in a different sporting code and not been registered with an AFL team at any level for the previous three years. Cats ruckman Mark Blicavs was also drafted under this rule, formerly a steeple-chaser.

In July last year, Geelong’s recruitment manager Stephen Wells was just another face in the crowd to Luxford at one of his basketball games.

“I didn’t know he was there at the time. Then he emailed me saying he’d watched me play and asked if I’d come down for a trial. Obviously it was a big shock to me, it was really out of the blue.

“A week or two later Wellsy (Stephen Wells) and Balmey (Neil Balme) came to my house and basically told me they wanted to offer me a contract," Luxford said.

Luxford began training regularly with the VFL Cats after school whilst maintaining all his basketball commitments before deciding to sign with Geelong and step away from his lifelong dream.

“It took me a good three or four months to choose between basketball and footy… It was actually really hard because it was always a dream of mine to go somewhere with basketball.

“My family were really supportive and left the decision up to me. But I think Mum was pretty happy that I didn’t go to America,” Luxford said.

Before being recruited by the Cats, Luxford had been part of the Victorian representative basketball team since the age of 11. He travelled to Lithuania in June 2012 as a member of Australia’s under-17 World Championship team, which claimed the silver medal.

Throughout the summer, Luxford was allowed to play out his basketball commitments, alongside AFL preseason training. He played in the under-20 National Championship team, in which he shot a three-pointer to seal the victory.

Luxford admitted he was incredibly close to turning down Geelong’s offer, but is glad he took a chance.

“On my first day I didn’t know if I’d made the right decision or not, but since I walked through the door I’ve felt part of it… By the end of the first week I was like, “yeah, I’ve made the right decision,”

“Honestly, I’ve always wanted to play footy, I just never really had the chance or time because I had ‘full on’ basketball,” Luxford said.

Fast-forward six months and the new recruit has kicked five goals from four games in the VFL, but not without some nervous moments.

“Before my first game I was in the rooms sweating, I probably went to the toilet like ten times in half an hour. I didn’t know what to expect and just wanted to get out there, I hate waiting around, I was so nervous,” Luxford admitted.

The nerves came flooding back as he lined up for his first shot at goal.

“It was straight in front, ten metres out and I was like, “If I miss this, I’ve got no chance of ever kicking a goal,” because it was basically the easiest kick you could get,” Luxford said.

Fortunately the goal went through, and Luxford has been playing some fantastic footy ever since, given his inexperience. He continues looking to improve though, particularly on his endurance.

“The physical aspect has probably been the biggest challenge for me, particularly running. With basketball its all short sharp efforts, whereas with footy it long, endurance running,” Luxford said.

Given that basketball was his life, you’d think ‘Lux’ would miss the sport immensely, but that certainly doesn’t seem to be the case.

“I don’t actually miss the game that much to be honest. I thought I’d miss it heaps but because I’m here all the time, I don’t really have time to miss it.

“I’m looking forward to learning more about football to be honest. Hopefully one day I’ll make the big time, but I’ve still got ages and ages to go. But I just love being part of it,” Luxford said.