ALEX Woodward admits he's "not in the best headspace" after the Grand Final incident that led to him being the target of online bullies.
But the Collingwood runner, who accidentally blocked the path of Magpie Jaidyn Stephenson as he rushed to stop West Coast's Elliot Yeo from marking in a crucial third-quarter moment, says he's been buoyed by the on-going support he's received from the club.
The former Hawk, who has endured four knee reconstructions, was acting as the Pies' runner after being asked by coach Nathan Buckley to resume the role he'd held at the start of the year for their finals campaign.
'HE CAN'T BLAME HIMSELF' Buckley comforts runner
Yeo went on to kick a goal after marking the Taylor Adams turnover and put the Eagles in front.
"I'm probably not in the best headspace at the moment," Woodward told SEN on Monday.
"I've put a fair bit of blame on myself with the result being just five points.
"I felt like I was in a position where the ball wasn't going to get to me, and the next thing I knew the ball was coming at me and I just tried to get out of the way.
"But I'm very remorseful and very sorry."
Woodward has avoided watching the replay of the incident after being distraught in the rooms following the game.
Collingwood defender Jeremy Howe revealed on Sunday that Woodward had been targeted on social media as a result of the inadvertent collision.
"I've confronted it, I've had a look at [the comments] myself and there's emotions and opinions straight after the game and they're a bit hard not to look at," Woodward said.
"On the flipside of that, what's been unbelievable is the support from the footy club and my family and my friends.
"I don't want to make it all about myself, but after the game there was a spotlight put on it and I just felt pretty bad about it."
Buckley comforted a tearful Woodward after the game and said in his post-match press conference that "things happen in life, things happen in football".
"He wrapped his arms around me and told me not to blame myself," Woodward said.
"I think I was just caught up a bit and for him to do that just meant so much to me and my family.
"It was a great gesture."
The ex-Hawk, who played just two AFL games in 2014, started the season as the Pies' runner as a way to boost his fitness while recovering from his fourth knee reconstruction.
He resumed playing for the club's VFL team midway through the year and finished equal second in the League's best and fairest despite playing just eight games.
Once Collingwood’s VFL season ended in the elimination final loss to Essendon, Woodward picked up his running duties again.
He hopes his positive season at state level could yet propel him back onto an AFL list after years of knee rehab.
"I would absolutely love a second chance," he said.
"I feel like football was taken away from me … injuries are very much a part of the game, but I feel like I'm still in a position where I can contribute to the team and I'd love another chance to be on an AFL list."
Woodward said the support of fellow knee victim Alex Johnson, who is also hopeful of another chance at an AFL career after being delisted by Sydney last month, had been invaluable.
"We all touch base … we've got this little group where we've suffered these ACL injuries repeatedly and we use each other as a sounding board to find comfort," he said.
"For Alex to want to make another comeback, I couldn't be prouder of him.
"It's a testament to his character and we definitely touch base when we can.
"It's really good to have those friends around."
