Last year, after bonding through the experience of long-term injuries, Trent Hentschel, David Mackay and Kurt Tippett took the plunge and moved in together.
Hentschel, 25, was entering his 12th month on the sidelines with a knee injury when he decided it was time to fly the family nest.
“Kurt and D-Mac [Mackay] had been living with their host families for almost year and were looking to move out and I was still with mum and dad,” he said.
“I had decided I was moving out, so I asked them if they wanted a place to stay.
“We got a spot near the beach, not too far from the club and it’s going really well.
“I think we’re still in the honeymoon phase at the moment, but we’ll see how we go.”
Tippett had a horrific first year in Adelaide after fracturing a vertebra in his neck just weeks after arriving at West Lakes. The Queenslander then recovered to play seven games with SANFL club West Adelaide before injuring his shoulder and undergoing a full reconstruction.
Mackay’s season was equally frustrating. The 19-year-old midfielder completed nearly every unit in his first pre-season with the Crows only to be struck down by not one, but two, serious hamstring injuries.
“Living with D-Mac and Trent probably came about through the time we spent in rehab,” Tippett said.
“We spent some long days together and formed some pretty good bonds given that we were all going through the same thing at the same time.
“I guess being in rehab with Charlie Walsh you not only learn how to be mentally tough on the bike, but you also get to spend a lot of time with certain guys that, perhaps, you wouldn’t necessarily hang out with and you get to know your teammates a lot better.”
Now, Hentschel, Tippett and Mackay are intent on “breaking the curse” that sabotaged their 2007 seasons.
Hentschel has endured the longest road to recovery having spent almost 18 months on the sidelines, but says he’s “feeling good” and is on track to play a half of football for the Woodville-West Torrens reserves side in four weeks time.
Tippett and Mackay won’t have to wait that long and could both make their AFL debuts against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday.
“Hopefully Kurt and D-Mac both make their debuts this week and, if not, I’m sure it will be soon,” Hentschel said.
“When you’ve been injured for awhile, you know how down blokes can get and how injuries can affect you, so for them to both be right in contention for round one is a credit to both of them.
“It’s definitely not the ‘rehab house’ anymore. We’re a much happier household this year with all three of us looking to play rather than sitting on the sidelines.”
