- Sam Docherty to return for Carlton’s first ever final
- Blue has been injured for 183 days after knee recovery
- The AFL star has also beaten testicular cancer twice
Carlton gritty Sam Docherty will make one of the quickest recoveries from a knee reconstruction in AFL history when he returns for the Blues’ elimination final against the Brisbane Lions.
The 30-year-old will return to action just 183 days after picking up the injury against the same opponent at the Gabba, venue of the knockout final on Saturday night.
It means Docherty’s final three games will be against the club that drafted him in 2011, after playing in last year’s preliminary final loss to Brisbane, the season-opening win and now another sudden-death final.
When the former Blues co-captain was injured on March 8, it was simply stated as a fact that he would miss the entire campaign.
AFL players tend to take up to 12 months to recover from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, but Docherty, who has twice beaten testicular cancer, has done it in six.
Even several weeks ago, when the possibility of him playing again this season was first raised, the idea seemed far-fetched and difficult to comprehend.
“He’s put a lot of time and effort into coming back, and once he sets his mind to something, he’s the kind of person who’s motivated to do it,” Carlton vice-captain Jacob Weitering said on Tuesday.
‘The boys were enthusiastic and I’m sure he will do a good job for us this weekend.
Sam Docherty (pictured) will be called up for the Carlton final after injuring his knee in this year’s opening round.
The 30-year-old soccer star will return to action just 183 days after suffering the injury.
‘Sam, I would have said he’s got a chance (to play again this season in June), but maybe if you had said anyone else it’s probably a long shot.
‘That says a lot about him as a person… his commitment to the team and our mission and the higher purpose of ultimately winning a championship.
“He knows he probably doesn’t have much longer left in the system and he’s certainly pushing to do that for us.”
Collingwood forward Daniel McStay returned in Round 19 this year, 234 days after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in training.
Western Bulldogs great Tony Liberatore holds the record for the fastest successful comeback, dropping out in Round 5 in 1998 and playing again in Round 21 in the same season.
Other players like David Schwartz (Melbourne) tried to return, but were injured again shortly after.
The announcement of Docherty’s return came as the team was undergoing a recovery session in the pool.
The team burst into tears at the announcement and soon pulled their teammate out of the water to celebrate.
Docherty will not be the only Carlton player returning to face the Lions, with key forwards Charlie Curnow (ankle) and Harry McKay (quad) pushing hard in training on Monday.
AFL players tend to take up to 12 months to recover from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, but Docherty has managed it in six months.
Defender Mitch McGovern (hamstring), utility man Zac Williams (hamstring), ruckman Tom de Koning (foot) and midfielder Adam Cerra (hamstring) are also likely to play.
“Obviously it will be difficult to make the selection this week, there could be some changes,” Weitering said.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a risk (to bring back so many players at once).”
Weitering missed Carlton’s thrilling comeback against the Lions in March but believes the Blues will gain plenty from winning at the Gabba fortress.
“The way the lads responded, especially in the last 90 seconds, was amazing to watch, the way we controlled the game,” the newly-named All-Australian defender said.
‘They (Brisbane) did it in the preliminary round (last year). We did it at the beginning of the year.
“The only thing that matters is the next competition which will take place on Saturday night.”