Why you should never write off a Queenslander

When it comes to Queenslanders you think of toughness, courage, spirit and a never-say-die attitude and Kasey Wehrman certainly fits that model.

As a kid growing up near Mount Isa, there wasn’t much to do except play sport.

Wehrman, like many Aussie kids, tried his hand at cricket and rugby league, but it was g=football he developed a passion for.

Travelling long distances to play football, his talent and commitment at a young age was recognised.

Wehrman was running around for the Northwest Queensland junior representative side when Queensland Academy of Sports development officer Mike Mulvey, who is now part of the Gold Coast United coaching staff, spotted him.

Kacey’s family packed their bags and made the move from one corner of Queensland to other, landing in Brisbane. Wehrman now had a chance to realise his dream of playing in the NSL. Soon his dream would become reality when he made is debut for the Brisbane Strikers against South Melbourne in 1996.

The following season Wehrman was a regular first team starter for the Strikers and played a major role in the club’s one and only Premiership in the 1996/97 season. Wehrman picked up a swag of individual honours that year including NSL under-21s player of the year.

More success followed with a call up to the Australian squad in 1998 and representing Australia at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Wehrman would go on to represent Australia a total of 81 times across all forms of Australian Football.

In 1999 he moved across the country to Perth and helped the Glory win the minor premiership. With success at two NSL clubs and representative honours, Wehrman’s stocks were rising, and it was not long before the Queenslander gained attention from European clubs.

If moving from Mount Isa to Brisbane then to Perth wasn’t enough, Kacey landed in Norway where he would spend the next 10 seasons playing in the Tippeligaen, the highest division in Norway. Wehrman went on to play over 250 games, playing for Moss, Lillestrom, Fredrikstad and Lynn before returning to Australia in 2010 to play with the Newcastle Jets.

Playing in the Europa League qualifiers, winning the Norwegian Cup with Lillestrom in 2007, the 1996/97 grand final victory with the Brisbane Strikers and playing at the 2000 Sydney Olympics are his proudest moments.

Wehrman played against and alongside some of the world’s best players and regards former Manchester City star Uwe Rosler as one of the most competitive and professional players he has played with.

Since returning to A-League things have been up and down for the 34 year old. In his first season back, he was named in the 2010/11 PFA team of the season. The 2011/12 season began well for Wehrman, but a change of coach, playing style and policy on youth meant that Kacey would have to look for another club.

Kacey hopes to enter the coaching ranks one day but believes he still has a few more good years left in him. In the style of a true professional and that Queenslander never-say-die attitude, he is determined to bounce back.

Putting in the hard yards at Jets training, he looks fitter and meaner than ever before. He must be congratulated for his work ethic considering he is probably no chance of being picked by coach Gary Van Egmond.

Whether Wehrman gets another start for the Jets this season remains to be seen but one thing is for sure: there is plenty of life left in this Queensland warrior yet, and he would be a handy signing for any club looking for a leader.