'I didn't think I'd be here after last year', Shaw pumped for another shot
Swans defender considered playing future after rupturing ACL last year
THIS time last year, Rhyce Shaw was facing his footballing mortality head-on as he came to terms with the fact he needed another knee reconstruction.
Twelve months later and the Swans defender is in a totally different frame of mind, even talking up his chances of extending his career for some time yet.
Shaw ruptured the ACL in his right knee in last year's round 22 clash with Geelong, ruling the then-31-year-old out of the finals series and putting his playing future in considerable doubt.
But a successful LARS procedure had him back in the team for round one this year and he is now preparing for a third Grand Final in his 14th AFL season.
"To be honest, I didn't think I'd be here after last year," Shaw told AFL.com.au.
"When you're that age, you think 'Is it all over? Have I done the knee really badly'.
"But I was lucky enough that it was pretty clean and the rehab was fantastic and I got back and played some alright footy.
"The footy club has had a really good run this year, we've worked really hard and we're back in the 'big dance'.
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