You played the opening match of the season against North Melbourne, but just before round two against Collingwood, you were sidelined with your injury. Can you tell us what happened?
Basically, I had a bit of tightness after the Kangaroos game [in round one]. At certain stages in the pre-season, it was sore here and there. It was never painful and it died down after a day or two.
But I had scans after the Kangaroos game and they found a stress fracture and a crack in the navicular bone, which was pretty surprising, because I didn't think it would be anything too serious, as it wasn't painful. It was on my kicking leg, so you'd think it would be sore on top, but it wasn't and now it's a three or four month injury.
I found out the same day as reading about [Matthew] Egan’s injury. (Egan has been sidelined for Geelong since round 22, 2007 with a navicular bone injury). That was pretty scary, seeing what he's been through.
Was there an actual moment when you thought you needed your foot looked at?
It would come up sore every now and then. We thought we'd have a look at it, because there might've been some loose cartilage. When the results came back, the doctors were very surprised that I had that injury and was able to run around and kick pain free.
Was the pain at its worst after round one?
Yeah, I'd have to say so. I thought it might've been a bit of bruising, but it showed up that it had been there for a while.
What's you rehabilitation process for it now?
I've had three weeks in my cast and I've got another three weeks in the cast and then it will be six to eight weeks in the moonboot.
Do you have a timeframe set for your return?
There is no timeline on when I'll be back. We're just taking it as it comes and making sure it's right. They haven't really told me what round they want me back this year.
Have you set an individual goal for when you'd like to be playing again?
I haven't placed any expectations on myself, but I'm aiming to play in the Casey reserves or at senior level this year. I hope to play a game [this year].
But if the club thinks I'm going to get back too late and it's not worth playing two or three games, then a decision will be made then.
It's good to have something to work towards otherwise it'll all seem pretty pointless, so I am aiming to play again this year, whenever that is. Time will tell.
How disappointed were you when it happened?
It was incredibly disappointing. We'd just got through the pre-season and that was the best pre-season I'd done, because it was with the backline group. I'd felt like I'd learned so much more.
We are developing a really close-knit group down there, with some of the other young guys coming through, so to miss out on 20-something games with your mates, it is hard to do. I'm still trying to help out and look at the positives. It means other opportunities for other guys down in the backline, so that's been good to see.
Coming from Tasmania, have or will there been any opportunities for you to head back home during your recovery?
I still might have some time to go back for a bit. But for the first two or three weeks, I had to keep it elevated and rest it up.
Mum came over for a bit and I spent the first two weeks at home and my girlfriend was really good, when I couldn't get out of bed. Hopefully I'll be able to get home, as I'll have a bit of time on my hands. But I'm getting back into rehab now and I really want to concentrate on that.
What has it been like to watch on from the sidelines?
It was good seeing the win [against Richmond in round four], but it's always tough watching on, because you always want to be out there helping out. But you can see the improvement happening, which is good.
