FROM ‘the kid from the boat cruise’, to potentially debuting in a final, to his career nearly being over before playing a game, to becoming a Life Member of his boyhood club.

It’s safe to say it’s been a wild Navy Blue ride for Levi Casboult.

That story will have one more chapter written this weekend, when the big man runs out with the monogram on his chest for one final time.

As someone who’s been a fighter his whole career, Casboult conceded he had a lot to learn when he walked through the doors over a decade ago.

Now, he leaves it a better player and a better person.

“I came in as a kid who had a lot to learn in life and in footy. This place has helped shape me into the person I am now,” Casboult said.

“It hasn’t been the perfect run for me, but I wouldn’t change anything. I have absolutely loved my time here.

“It’s not often that someone wouldn’t go through their career without challenges and I’ve had my fair share.

“I feel like I’ve come out the other side as a better person and a better footballer and now, I can take that into being a better dad and better husband.”

Casboult’s career, of course, could’ve been over before any of his 154 games. Twice.

With just a few weeks remaining in 2011, Casboult found himself in the VFL reserves. A finals appearance gave him a reprieve, and a five-goal haul ensured he’d stick around for another year — and nearly brought about a senior debut in an AFL semi final.

Then, in Round 1 of the VFL the following year, a PCL injury sidelined Casboult for four months.

At the time, he thought that could be it. As fate would have it, his third game back resulted in a long-awaited AFL debut.

“That probably saved my career,” Casboult said of that five-goal final.

“The next year, I hurt my knee in Round 1 and I missed four months. To be honest, when I first did it I was like ‘I’m done’.

“After a game of VFL, a game of VFL reserves and I was the tallest player left standing and I had to come in and play ruck against Will Minson in my first game.

“To this day, I’ve never been as sore after a game as I was after that game.”

There’s no denying that Casboult has left nothing to chance and gotten everything possible out of himself.

There was that self-admitted “sweet spot” at the back-end of 2019 which saw Casboult playing the football of his life. His start to 2020 wasn’t bad, either.

But it’s the moments Casboult produced when he was seemingly down and out that he’s most proud of.

“Without reflecting too much because I’ll probably get emotional, I’m super proud of what I was able to achieve,” he said.

“I finished the 2018 season and was given some pretty strong feedback about my position in the team.

“I’m pretty intrinsically motivated. The best thing for me was to go away... I was able to work hard physically as well as get that mental refresher.

“That carried me into the next year and I just played with no restraints, I had nothing to lose.”

As someone who’s supported the team his entire life, Casboult will watch with interest and is looking forward to the roar of the crowd returning in the not-too-distant future.

A wry smile comes over Casboult’s face when he describes himself as “not the purest of goalkickers”.

That may have been part of the reason why the cheer seemed just that little bit louder whenever Casboult produced the goods in front of goal.

“There was maybe a sense of relief, I don’t know!,” he said with a laugh.

“The support we’ve received as a team and that the supporters have always shown me, I’m really grateful for the position I’m in.

“Some more success would’ve been nice, but the moments and some of the big games we played against Collingwood, Essendon and Richmond with the big crowds I’ll never forget.”