Yes, I'm 34 years old. Yes, I've got an injury that's going to keep me off the park for most of this season.
But I'm not even thinking about not playing football. In fact, I want to be back playing again before the season finishes.
Given that I'm basically restricted to lying on the couch watching DVDs because they've cut me open across the bottom of my bum, you might think I would be at least considering the option of calling it quits.
But I just can't wait to get back into it – I like being fit, I like training, I like getting my fitness up as high as I can. I love being part of the Richmond Football Club.
If anything, this has made me more determined and I'm really committed to getting this right and getting my fitness back to where it was.
I think my form over the last 18 months has been as good as it's been over my whole career – I think that I've been competing as well as ever. The first month of this year I was really happy with how I was going, and I certainly didn't feel like I was in decline.
The last two games were tough because I got injuries, but the month before that I felt that I was right there.
So I don't think there's any reason to start thinking retirement. I was always planning on playing next year – I don't have a contract, but you have to look ahead and be positive. I was hoping I would play next year, and I don't see why that should change.
And assuming my body comes back the way it should, and I'm feeling like I'm still running and competing with the younger guys, I’m certainly still going to want to play.
Not that I can do much at all right now. A bit over 24 hours after the operation I'm a little bit sore and ginger, but my surgeon Julian Feller – who is the go-to guy for these sorts of things – told me that it came together really well and he was really happy with how well the operation went. It reattached onto the bone beautifully, so he doesn't see any problems with it coming back as good as gold.
Obviously I'm disappointed – whenever you get a long-term injury you're disappointed, but I'm positive that I'll make a full recovery. I'm really aiming to get back and play footy again this year. That's the attitude I'm going to be taking into my rehab.
Even though I'm lying here unable to do much at all, within a week or so I should be up and about, which will be great. I've found with most injuries I've had, the first few weeks are the worst. Not being able to do anything is incredibly frustrating.
But once you can get up and around, you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I've had enough injuries now to know that you've just got to get through the first few weeks and not get too impatient. Once you start moving around and really feel that you're making progress, it becomes a lot easier.
I won't try to kid anyone – obviously it's going to be very frustrating while the season's being played out in front of me. You can't run, you can't do anything. You start to feel lazy, you get worried that you're going to lose fitness.
But there's not point trying to rush it either. We've all seen cases where people are injured and by trying to rush back they make things worse. You just need to do the right things and stick to what the surgeon says, and if you do that you should come back pretty well.
I haven't fully discussed my rehab program with Julian, but I think it will be around the six- or seven-week mark before I'll be able to start jogging. Once the wound has healed I'll be able to jump in the pool and do some fitness work there.
For the first few weeks I won't be able to anything, really, but once there's no danger of infection I'll be able to get in the pool and start some aerobic work.
So, that's where I am. Sore, a bit frustrated, tired; but I can't wait to get back into the swing of things down at Punt Rd as soon as possible.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
