BENDIGO'S Flynn Perez is vowing to remain upbeat despite his second AFL season with North Melbourne coming to a heartbreaking end last month.
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The 19-year-old relished a return to grassroots on Wednesday, taking charge of a football clinic involving students from St Therese's Primary School in Kennington at Ewing Park.
Perez, who played three games in his debut season for the Kangaroos in 2020, was ruled out for the season after suffering a second serious knee injury at training last month.
He previously underwent a knee reconstruction in 2019, forcing him to miss all of his top-age year with Bendigo Pioneers.
Despite another setback, Perez said he was determined to stay positive as he contemplates another lengthy stint on the sidelines.
"It's an interesting job being an AFL footballer, you do really go through the highs and the lows, from playing last year and doing the pre-season to being quickly out for the season," he said.
"It's unfortunate and disappointing, and not taking anything away from that, I'm staying motivated. I'm only 19 and still have plenty of football ahead of me.
"I showed last year that at this level, if I get fit I can have an impact.
"It is hard, but at the end of the day I just try and keep things in perspective. Especially helping with these school kids, it puts everything in perspective."
Perez, a former Sandhurst junior, who played one senior game for the Dragons in early 2018, said it was another former Bendigo Pioneer Robbie Tarrant, who had been among his biggest supporters while sidelined, and from who he had drawn plenty of inspiration.
"I showed last year that at this level, if I get fit I can have an impact.
- Flynn Perez
"He's been exceptional, in his first four years (in the AFL) he played about four games, so there are plenty of guys who have gone through it," he said.
"It does get pretty lonely in rehab at times, and there are a few in rehab at North at the moment.
"Robbie has been great. I went to his house for dinner the other night and he has just reassured me that I'm not the only one going through it and that at the end of the day I will get through it."
Only a few years removed from the NAB League system, Perez has watched on with plenty of interest and pride in the Pioneers' impressive 2-0 start to the season.
For the first time in 20 years, the Pioneers head the ladder after two or more rounds.
"You look at how quickly things can change with the Pioneers, being 2-0, hopefully, that's how it can be for North Melbourne in time," Perez said.
"It's really exciting, Danny O'Bree is doing a great job at the Pioneers, led by guys like Sam Conforti, Cooper Smith and Jack Evans, who have been in the program for many years now.
"It helps having those 19-year-olds there to help out the young guys.
"I'm pretty bullish about the Pios this year. "
Perez was only too happy to help out his good mate and current Pioneers leadership group member Conforti on Wednesday by volunteering his time to help put aspiring St Therese's footballers through their paces.
"My little cousin Raph Perez is in St Therese's grade six, so I thought I would come down and have a look and help the kids out," he said.
"It's been refreshing; I always get a lot out of helping younger players.
"I didn't actually play for St Therese's, it;'s enemy territory a bit, I was a St Killian's kid and always playing against them.
"But it's fun, you get a lot out of seeing kids improve and if it's a put a smile on their face it's a big win."
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