Toast Breaking Out all over again - The Michael Barlow Story

[yakka man]

Breaking Out all over again - The Michael Barlow Story

IN THE gloomy aftermath of an injury that shocked and saddened all who had been warmed by Michael Barlow's story, the wounded Docker took a phone call that was both uplifting and a sobering window on the struggle that lay ahead.

"I told him he wouldn't be right for two years," Michael Voss said this week, drawing on the bitter experience of a leg broken in 1998 with a similar severity to Barlow's 12 years later.The Brisbane Lions legend told the then 22-year-old Fremantle rookie he might be back playing within 12 months, but the physical and mental burden would linger much longer. Voss still experienced "excruciating pain and discomfort" long after his own comeback. He cautioned Barlow that a year would pass between achieving structural soundness and the return of his capacity to play as he once had.

Barlow's mother tenders evidence to support the Voss recovery thesis. "It wasn't long ago — maybe only two months — that he actually said he was playing pain-free in the leg, that he was just getting general soreness," Jenny Barlow says, adding that even in the face of the setbacks Voss says are inevitable with such an injury, her son never reported any bad news. "He'd just keep on saying, 'I'm good, it's getting better'."

Good article. He's definitely building to his best form of 2010. Great to see considering how bad his broken leg was.

 

[Darcy 2 Fyfe]

Geez we have great young men amongst this group. I was an absolute twit in my early 20's. Most of our footballers these days are so measured, focused, determined and respectful. The Fyfe interview the other day and the De Boer one just make you realise how lucky we are to have them in purple.

 

[jmadrox]

i swear, if we are lucky enough to win a flag while he plays for us, this story is defiitely movie - worthy. or atleast a channel 10 mini-drama.

Legend of a guy, if only all players could take a leaf out of his book.

 

[pavsbootlace]

The kid is a fighter. There is no doubt in my mind that he is still feeling the after-effects of his injury. I think he step up a level next year, even if it's just the benefit of having a full pre-season. And the same can be said for Mundy and Fyfe regarding a full pre-season. Add Morabito and Lower into the mix and I suspect our midfield will be one of the strongest in the comp, with Barlow as a important cog.

 

[electricfeel]

Love this guy and so proud to have him wearing the purple. What a great guy.

 

[FreoRicci]

His determination prior to playing AFL was remarkable enough, overlooked in the draft numerous times, played out of his skin to gain recognition in the VFL at Werribee. Chuck in a broken leg and that would be enough to give up right there, but Barlow's will to never give in and keep going is a lesson to kids who 'aren't good enough'. What a champion and here's hoping the cream to it all is just around the corner for himself and Fremantle (touchwood of course)

 

[DOCKERZ]

Comes across as a ripping bloke and a bloody hard worker.

Went to a Rob Beveridge seminar a couple of years back, where he said he was questioned about letting some talented Wildcats leave the team. He said that his mantra was to recruit 'quality people' rather than simply the most talented available.

Can't help but feel Freo have been to same seminar and bought in.

Proud of my team.

 

[pavsbootlace]

Comes across as a ripping bloke and a bloody hard worker.

Went to a Rob Beveridge seminar a couple of years back, where he said he was questioned about letting some talented Wildcats leave the team. He said that his mantra was to recruit 'quality people' rather than simply the most talented available.

Can't help but feel Freo have been to same seminar and bought in.

Proud of my team.

Every time someone suggests that we should have drafted Jack Darling, I have the similar thoughts.

 

[E Shed]

Was epic in the clinches last week. So proud and happy for him.

 

[Nickos66]

What a great story, he's almost there, just needs to hit the scoreboard ala 2010.

 

[bach]

Nice article. Great to see him playing well and back to his old self. Now if only he can learn to kick a goal from a set shot.....

 

[electricfeel]

Nice article. Great to see him playing well and back to his old self. Now if only he can learn to kick a goal from a set shot.....

He could before! It's just been this year he's had the yips in front of goal. Needs to have a word to Chris Mayne!

Will never forget that BOG game against Carlton in Melbourne in 2010 where he had 30 odd possessions and 4 goals. Brilliant stuff and I'm sure we will be able to see that again soon.