The last four weeks have been the cause of a lot of relief for me.
No, it’s not because I’m loving lockdown and being away from the club.
I’m actually four weeks post-surgery after having my foot operated on after persistent troubles with my plantar fascia and, finally, I’m starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel.
The pre-season just gone was incredibly frustrating for me.
I partially tore my plantar fascia in December.
I’ve had my share of injuries over my time at the Hawks, everyone gets them, but with these types of injuries, the medical staff can’t really give you any dates.
When will I be able to run again? When will I be able to play again? Even just, when will I be able to wake up and get out of bed without this stabbing pain in my foot?
The answers to all of these questions – we just have to wait and see.
I felt like I spent the entire summer just waiting. It was a pretty hopeless feeling.
Things were starting to get better as Round 1 neared and I really thought things were on the up.
And then… thud! It was back to the start again as I tore my plantar fascia again in the week leading up to our game against the Lions.
I think after so many months of trying to deal with this injury conservatively, it was important for me mentally to try something different.
We sat down with a surgeon and together decided that we would try to operate on the tear.
A month into the recovery and I’m now really hopeful things are really on the up. Fingers crossed!
***
It’s pretty scary to think this is my sixth season as a Hawk.
I’ve got 62 games under my belt now but I still don’t really feel like I’m established as part of the best 22 yet.
I’m still feeling that I’m fighting for a senior chance every week, which I actually don’t mind – I don’t mind the battle of having to prove yourself week in and week out – but there’s also times where you definitely wish you had that greater level of job security.
It can be pretty tough when every game and every training session, you find yourself almost scared to make mistakes because you’re often thinking to yourself, ‘oh, this mistake might cost me a spot in the team’.
But, over the last few years, I feel like I’ve taken a step back and just focussed on what I can control because focussing on the ‘what ifs’ can be a pretty vicious cycle.
I think I’m at a stage in my career now where I feel, in terms of my body, most of my development stage is done, I guess.
I think it’s now time for me to put some runs on the board and really start getting the results because I feel I’ve worked pretty hard throughout my career to date.
I’ve spent a fair bit of my time to date in run-with roles in the midfield, which has been great to see some of the best in the game up close, but I’m pretty keen to move into a new part of my career at half-back or on the wing.
***
I’m not allowed to run just yet so instead I’ve been doing a lot of walking!
Today I went for an hour walk around my hometown of Yarrawonga, which is where I am basing myself at the moment.
I never thought I’d be so excited to go for a stroll, but after not walking pain-free for essentially the past four or five months, you do get to appreciate those moments much more.
Being back to some level of health and fitness has definitely got me excited to get back into footy whenever that may be, but, for now, I know there’s much bigger, more important issues happening around the world currently.
So, ‘til then, I’m pretty happy being back in Yarrawonga, back with family, laying low and getting back to my country kid roots!
All the best, Hawks fans! Thank you for your continuing support and hopefully we see you all again soon.
It is understandable that some people are experiencing feelings of anxiety, uncertainty and concern associated with the current COVID-19 situation. For mental health and wellbeing information, visit Beyond Blue.
