It was the first time I hadn’t been available to play a senior match since arriving at the Club at the end of 2008.
I was really proud to have managed to play 59 games straight since making my senior debut in Round 1 of 2009, but a stress reaction in my foot finally got the better of me.
The injury had been uncomfortable for a few weeks, but I was keen to push through it and keep playing.
But eventually it got to a stage where the Club’s Physical Performance team said the only way it would improve would be with a few weeks’ rest.
So I strapped on a moon boot and have been getting around on crutches for the past week.
It’s disappointing, but nothing too serious. I’m hoping that I’ll be able to train again with the boys in the next week or so.
It’s certainly a different experience when you watch a game from the stands. It looks so much easier from a birds-eye view.
One of the other things I was able to notice as a spectator was how young Patty Karnezis has quickly become a favourite among the Lions fans.
Pat has been really valuable to the side in his first three games. He runs really hard, has a good set of hands and an ability to find space.
He might still only be skin and bones, but he is deceptively strong overhead and took a couple of nice contested marks last Sunday. That one-hander on the wing was particularly impressive.
From what I overheard at the game, he also seems to have already developed a strong following among our female fans.
I’m pretty sure the words ‘Greek Adonis’ were mentioned more than once throughout the game. Maybe he’s starting to take male grooming advice from his house-mate Brent Staker.
Patty believes he plays his best footy when he grows his hair long - so I wouldn’t expect the scissors to be coming out anytime soon. It seems to be working for him.
