AJ's knee

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  • mcs
    Travelling Swannie!!
    • Jul 2007
    • 8166

    #46
    Originally posted by Ampersand
    With Shaw and Teddy likely to retire soon I don't think anyone will have to make way for AJ if and when he gets back to senior footy.
    Well Shaw will definitely be gone by then (2017) but who knows about Teddy, he may last that long
    "You get the feeling that like Monty Python's Black Knight, the Swans would regard amputation as merely a flesh wound."

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    • chuckie
      Warming the Bench
      • Jan 2003
      • 301

      #47
      When David Schwarz started at Melbourne he played like Buddy he could run with the ball, chase opponents and take marks in and over packs but after 4 knee reconstruction he was left to jostling full backs from the goal square to get the ball. I hope Johnno still has his pace and agility when he comes back cause I can't see him standing in the goal square at full forward unless it is in the NEAFL.

      Comment

      • Doctor
        Bay 29
        • Sep 2003
        • 2757

        #48
        AJ's case was really unusual in that the recos were failing because of the infection. If that has genuinely gone, there's no reason why this one shouldn't be successful. Fingers crossed anyway.
        Today's a draft of your epitaph

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        • lwjoyner
          Regular in the Side
          • Nov 2004
          • 952

          #49
          Both he and Moribitto from Freo must have yhe same problems with knees. He too is looking at another perhaps his 4th. Good for both to return to game.

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          • i'm-uninformed2
            Reefer Madness
            • Oct 2003
            • 4653

            #50
            I hope like hell it has a happy ending as I reckon AJ's story up to the conclusion of the GF in 2012 was one of my favourites in my time following the Swans, and one of the saddest since.

            I fear four years out of the game - which is what it will effectively be by the time he'd really get back - is too much, but I've never wanted to be wrong so much.

            I remember the roar Rohan got in his first game back. Imagine the reception AJ would get . . .
            'Delicious' is a fun word to say

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            • WauchopeAnalyst
              Regular in the Side
              • Sep 2008
              • 834

              #51
              I hope so. My kids want to go and see AJ play again in the red and white. They have asked lots of questions about his ability. In 2012 he was really good, with some improvement, the best rebound tall flanker in the comp.. A big statement but I could see it.

              Comment

              • goswannies
                Senior Player
                • Sep 2007
                • 3051

                #52
                Originally posted by dimelb
                My fingers are crossed for AJ, and I admire his persistence and courage in his long ordeal (I know, a First World problem perhaps, but it still has to be endured). Would love to see him run out for action in 2016.
                I don't think it's a first world problem. There are many ways to injure an ACL ... many aren't 1st world. Many defence personnel have suffered debilitating ACL injuries during service.
                One recon wastes 9-12 months of your life in rehab. It's physically & emotionally (& potentially financially) demanding. 2 recons emotionally draining & devastating, as you just got through the last lot of rehab & you've got to do it all over again ... another 12 months gone. 3rd one? I didn't even bother when faced with it myself. 4 recons? At approximately (& conservatively) 12 months rehab per recon, & the average male living to just over 80 years old (3302.0 - Deaths, Australia, 2013), that's 5% of his life in ACL rehab. Average AFL career lifespan 6.2 years (http://hpeu.com.au/media/8963/afl-ca...st-players.pdf) ... 4 recons is 66% of your average AFL player's career in rehab.
                For me, ACL injuries can't be trivialised. They impact on your current life & future life.

                Comment

                • goswannies
                  Senior Player
                  • Sep 2007
                  • 3051

                  #53
                  Originally posted by AnnieH
                  I love AJ and I'm going to get shot down for this, BUT... at what point do the club say "medical retirement"?
                  It's very unfortunate for him, but unless he's coming back really soon, he's taking a spot that can be filled.
                  He should be inspired by Heath James ... 7 seasons on the Swans list ... delisted & re-drafted twice. Played 11.1% of all possible games over that period of time. But kept on trying until his body told him it was time.

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                  • dimelb
                    pr. dim-melb; m not f
                    • Jun 2003
                    • 6889

                    #54
                    Originally posted by goswannies
                    I don't think it's a first world problem. There are many ways to injure an ACL ... many aren't 1st world. Many defence personnel have suffered debilitating ACL injuries during service.
                    One recon wastes 9-12 months of your life in rehab. It's physically & emotionally (& potentially financially) demanding. 2 recons emotionally draining & devastating, as you just got through the last lot of rehab & you've got to do it all over again ... another 12 months gone. 3rd one? I didn't even bother when faced with it myself. 4 recons? At approximately (& conservatively) 12 months rehab per recon, & the average male living to just over 80 years old (3302.0 - Deaths, Australia, 2013), that's 5% of his life in ACL rehab. Average AFL career lifespan 6.2 years (http://hpeu.com.au/media/8963/afl-ca...st-players.pdf) ... 4 recons is 66% of your average AFL player's career in rehab.
                    For me, ACL injuries can't be trivialised. They impact on your current life & future life.
                    Goswannies, I didn't intend to trivialise the injury, and I'm sorry that it came across like that. My point was that Alex's situation - and I hope he continues to get all the support he needs - is better than it would be in many other places and circumstances as he is able to continue his study and possible career path for after football. In other situations it could be a shortened lifespan of pain and relative incapacity, as you point out.
                    He reminds him of the guys, close-set, slow, and never rattled, who were play-makers on the team. (John Updike, seeing Josh Kennedy in a crystal ball)

                    Comment

                    • goswannies
                      Senior Player
                      • Sep 2007
                      • 3051

                      #55
                      Originally posted by dimelb
                      Goswannies, I didn't intend to trivialise the injury, and I'm sorry that it came across like that. My point was that Alex's situation - and I hope he continues to get all the support he needs - is better than it would be in many other places and circumstances as he is able to continue his study and possible career path for after football. In other situations it could be a shortened lifespan of pain and relative incapacity, as you point out.
                      Actually, no, I'm sorry, I didn't think you did. Just wanted to point out that people, in general, can be a bit blas? about ACLs. But from both sides of the fence (as a patient & treating them) they are a fairly hefty injury. Having said that, I'd happily have had my 3 ACLs to avoid the broken leg! That one sucked big time - Gary Rohan is an inspiration and amazes me with every possession he gets. Having said that, there are way worse injuries sustained out there. Kudos to the Swans medical team!

                      Comment

                      • Danzar
                        I'm doing ok right now, thanks
                        • Jun 2006
                        • 2027

                        #56
                        Originally posted by Mountain Man
                        The beneficiary of his injury was Rampe but I guess if AJ returned today the one to make way would be Laidler - who has been playing very well
                        Point about Rampe is a good one, although two very different players. A player like AJ will be needed by next season though.

                        I love watching the 2012 GF replay and seeing that 'wow, wtf' look on his face when the siren went. It was a look of pure, incredulous joy. It was rotten luck for AJ when he did that knee later.
                        Captain, I am detecting large quantities of win in this sector

                        Comment

                        • aardvark
                          Veterans List
                          • Mar 2010
                          • 5685

                          #57
                          Reported on BF that AJ will have a Lars op the week after the Grand Final and could be back playing half way through next season.

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                          • stevoswan
                            Veterans List
                            • Sep 2014
                            • 8559

                            #58
                            Originally posted by aardvark
                            Reported on BF that AJ will have a Lars op the week after the Grand Final and could be back playing half way through next season.
                            A thousand 'good lucks' to him!!! That would be amazing to see him back, he so deserves it, and so do we......

                            Comment

                            • Auntie.Gerald
                              Veterans List
                              • Oct 2009
                              • 6480

                              #59
                              "be tough, only when it gets tough"

                              Comment

                              • dimelb
                                pr. dim-melb; m not f
                                • Jun 2003
                                • 6889

                                #60
                                May all go well Alex - we're all behind you.
                                He reminds him of the guys, close-set, slow, and never rattled, who were play-makers on the team. (John Updike, seeing Josh Kennedy in a crystal ball)

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