Essendon 1962 premiership player Ken Timms inspires grandson Ned's football dream

The North Warrnambool Eagles footballer wants to follow in his grandfather's footsteps and play in the AFL.

"Poppy played for the Bombers, won a premiership for them back in 1962," Ned said.

"He wore number 25 - that is my goal, to wear 25."

Ken, who lives in Warrnambool, played 134 matches across nine seasons in the then-VFL.

Ned has heard tales of his Poppy's exploits.

"Kevin Sheedy's words said he was one of the toughest boys to play VFL in his time. I don't know if I am a tough player or not...I think we sort of play different roles," he joked.

Ned, who lives at Woodford, visited Ken last week when he was told he'd be playing in the NAB League - Victoria's premier under 19 football competition.

It came after Ned missed the cut two seasons in a row and, through perseverance, was selected in the 2021 squad.

"I went around to his place the other day and told him and he was pretty proud," he said.

"He said 'that's the first step though, still a few steps to go'. Poppy passed his knowledge down to my dad (Shane) and then dad passed that down to me.

"Dad trained with the Bombers for a bit but couldn't quite make the senior list.

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"Dad's been a big part of my footy too as has mum (Lorraine) by getting me into yoga and healthy eating."

Ken, 83, said he would follow Ned's journey closely.

"I hope he goes all right, he's very keen," he said.

"It's a tough life to get in there (the AFL) but if he keeps at it, you never know.

"You've got to have a lot of luck. I am very proud of him.

"I played a lot of sport and it would be great to see one of your grandsons come along and you can follow them, gives you a bit of interest."

Ken, who has 11 grandchildren, and Ned both support Essendon.

"I barracked for them when I was a kid, I played with them, it's in my blood," Ken said.

"He (Ned) has to keep it going, so keep your fingers crossed."

Ken believes Ned has the support around him to succeed, highlighting North Warrnambool Eagles mentor Adam Dowie.

"He's got a good coach, so any problems, he just goes to to the coach and he'll straighten him out," he said.

Ned said he would embrace the challenges which came with the Ballarat-based Rebels.

He said getting a phone call from Rebels coach David Loader to tell him he'd made the team was memorable.

"I tried out the past two years and getting into the final stages and just missing out was devastating but I just used that to motivate me," the Emmanuel College student said.

"I was pretty nervous when he gave me a call. I thought in the practice game I did enough and I was just hoping the coaches thought the same thing and luckily they did.

"To hear the words that I got into the squad this year, it was just a big relief, all that hard work just paid off."

Ned, a left-footer who prides himself on his run and carry and delivery inside 50, once juggled football and tennis. He decided football was his number one priority and got to work.

"Tennis, I love it, but it can be very frustrating at times," he said. "When footy gets frustrating you have teammates there to support you."

Ned is the youngest of four siblings and is the only one left at the family home.

He knows he must "get the ratio between footy and year 12" right this year.

"I'll go to uni. I am not 100 per cent sure on what I want to study," he said of his 2022 plans.

"Mum and dad Shane both studied nursing and I reckon I'd like that."

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