“Never say never”: Casboult flirts with idea of playing on… but there’s one major sticking point

Levi Casboult felt like his AFL career was coming to an end at the midway point of the 2024 season.

The 34-year-old was stuck in Gold Coast’s VFL team for much of the year after playing the opening three games of the Suns’ first AFL campaign under Damien Hardwick.

With the likes of Ben King, Jack Lukosius and later Mac Andrew in front of him, Casboult saw the writing on the wall during his 15th season at the top level.

He says there were talks with the Suns about going on beyond 2024, but in the end he opted to pull the pin after 198 games and 215 goals which included 154 games and 156 goals with Carlton.

“Halfway through this year when I’d been stuck playing in the reserves for most of the year, it was more reading the room,” Casboult said on SEN’s The Run Home.

“I felt like it was time to move on. It looks like the club has gone past me.

“I’m a competitor and I love playing footy so I would probably go until I can’t run anymore, which is probably to my detriment.

“There was a bit of conversation between myself and the club about the potential of going on, but in the end it was in the best interests of both parties to move on.

“There were definitely thoughts midway through the year that this could be it.”

The question was put to Casboult - Would you play on if an AFL club came knocking?

His response, while not overly positive, did suggest that the door remains slightly ajar… but only if wife Hayley doesn’t find out.

“I’m nervous to answer in case my wife hears this,” he laughed.

“I’d never say never. That was part of the conversation with the Suns that key forwards don’t grow on trees, especially mature ones that can hold their own.

“I certainly still love playing the game. I’ll still be playing in some capacity next year and I’m looking forward to that.”

It does appear more unlikely than likely that Casboult would seek an AFL lifeline given the sticking point that he, Hayley and their four kids are now settled on the Gold Coast after three years.

What might be more realistic is having a kick in one of the local leagues.

“I love playing footy, I love keeping fit, so I’m definitely keen to have a run around somewhere,” the said further.

“I’d play for a bit of fun more than anything. I’ve had plenty of years of playing for pressure, so playing for a bit of fun (is appealing).

“The plan is to stay up here, we’re pretty settled up here.

“Gold Coast is a great lifestyle for raising kids and I’ve got plenty of them.”

But Casboult did iterate the point that “you never know” in regards to another AFL chance.

“As I said, never say never,” he added.

Casboult was initially picked up by the Blues in the 2009 Rookie Draft before he was delisted in 2021 after 12 seasons in navy blue.

The Tasmanian native, who moved to Melbourne in his teens, was then selected by the Suns in the 2021 Rookie Draft before playing 44 games and kicking 59 goals at his second club.