IT IS the catch cry made famous by Big Kev but now Hawthorn super boot Matt Suckling knows exactly how the Australian cleaning icon felt when he said “I’m excited”.
After a year out of the game due to an anterior cruciate ligament rupture, Suckling can’t wait to again pull on the boots.
He suffered the injury against Richmond in the third NAB Cup game this year and subsequently had to watch his teammates achieve the ultimate success from the sidelines.
Now, nearly a year since suffering the injury Suckling is as excited as ever to train and play football.
He has been back running for a while and made the trip to South Africa for the pre-season training camp with his teammates with the aim of returning as early as possible in 2014.
It was a long year for the 25 year old who says he’s feeling better than ever.
“It was a long year,” he told hawthornfc.com.au
“I spent most of it in the gym so it’s good to be back out there. I’m feeling pretty much 100 per cent now so I’m really excited.”
He can’t hide his excitement, and who could blame him.
“When you’re in rehab, it’s long and boring days in the gym by yourself so to be back out with the group is so exciting,” he said.
“I’m just jumping out of my skin at the moment.”
The penetrating left footer has worked hard in the gym all season and is looking as fit as ever at the start of a new pre-season.
But by the time the NAB Challenge matches and Round 1 arrive in 2014, it will have been more than 12 months since he last played a competitive match.
Having the game he loves taken away by something out of his control hurt.
“It definitely reignites the passion,” he said.
“Sometimes you can take it for granted but when it gets taken away from you, it makes it so exciting again.
“Even just running around and kicking the footy, it’s so exciting.”
He admits there were hard times, though they were made easier given he had fellow knee victims Ryan Schoenmakers and Alex Woodward by his side.
“It makes a little bit easier because you’ve got someone to lean on,” he said. “Especially late in the season, it was nice to have a couple of blokes there.
“It’s pretty devastating watching your teammates out there having fun and bonding while you’re just there watching through the window.
“It’s one of the things you miss most, like travelling interstate with everyone and just hanging out and being part of the group.”
Luckily, throughout the hard times he was still able to unleash on his left foot and keep it cheery ripe for 2014.
“I was pretty lucky that I did my right knee so I was still able to kick with my left the whole way through,” he said.
“It is feeling as good as ever, it’s ready to go.”
