A decade ago winning an AFL premiership was Alex Carey’s dream MCG scenario.

But a rejection from coaching legend Kevin Sheedy followed by a “bumpy” cricketing journey delivered the Australian keeper an extra satisfying reward in the form of a maiden test century he said should give hope to believers everywhere.

Carey, now 31, was inaugural captain of the GWS Giants in the Under 18 TAC Cup before the expansion club made their AFL debut - and a self-described “slow midfielder” - but delisted by Sheedy who told him his future lay elsewhere.

A cricket second-coming for South Australia faltered early but the hard work which has become Carey’s trademark helped further enhance the obvious skills necessary with the gloves, and the bat, to entrench his name in cricket history as the seventh keeper to reach triple-figures in a baggy green.

“Yeah it’s a pretty special week. I have to probably thank Kevin Sheedy that it was a test 100 rather than a run around with GWS,” Carey said as he beamed the smile of a century-maker in the bowels of the MCG.

“He pointed me in the cricket direction so yeah it was a really special day.

“I think it‘s one of those things you dream about, to be in a position to potentially do it and play for Australia. You work hard every day to perform as best you can.

“It’s been a bumpy journey along the way ... footy not working out and cricket not working out after a few games.

“I never I guess gave up the hope of playing sport at the highest level and continue to try to chase that goal and dream so yeah, proud so far, but hopefully a bit more to come in my career.”

Carey’s efforts were enhanced by embracing his “inner Punta” using a bat emblazoned with the same Kahuna stickers made famous by former Test skipper Ricky Ponting.

But it was also an innings derived from all the hard work necessary to become the elite batter Carey has turned into, now averaging just under 40 in his short yet successful 14-test career.

“I think you obviously build confidence the more you play, you learn about your game. You work on your game. You try not to take any moment for granted,” Carey said.

“So, again, I‘ll learn from the good and bad and it’s good fun at the moment.”

Carey also conceded it was a relief to shed the nightmare of his missed opportunity in Pakistan, when he was bowled, by Babar Azam, on 93, forcing him to wait that little bit longer to achieve his magic milestone.

“That randomly pops in my head when I‘m driving, why’d I play that shot and so it was nice to get through the nervous 70s 80s 90s,” he said

“So yeah, it was nice to be able to get that one off the back and hopefully it doesn’t come into my head too much more.

“I think it‘s just one of those things. Never give up on what you want and hopefully it comes.

“I‘m just the lucky one that you know , it has come my way. “