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For the VFL watchers how good has Woodward been since his return?
Good Luck to Alex Johnson...…..hope you get a few possessions and your team loses.
Collingwood
Alex Woodward and Alex Johnson among AFL players to pull together after suffering multiple knee injuries
JON RALPH, Herald Sun
August 1, 2018 6:00pm
Subscriber only
Good Luck to Alex Johnson...…..hope you get a few possessions and your team loses.
Collingwood
Alex Woodward and Alex Johnson among AFL players to pull together after suffering multiple knee injuries
JON RALPH, Herald Sun
August 1, 2018 6:00pm
Subscriber only
- ALEX Woodward says Alex Johnson is part of an AFL brotherhood of repeat knee victims as his own remarkable recovery gathers speed.
Woodward and Johnson are part of a “club” of knee victims including Daniel Menzel who have in recent years shared their highs and “dark times”.
Alex Woodward has been elite for the Pies’ VFL team. Picture: Michael Klein
Woodward injured his knee playing for Box Hill. Picture: Jenny Owens
Ex-Hawthorn midfielder Woodward’s ACL has crumpled four times and yet he is the ideal example of what Johnson might be able to do this weekend.
Back playing in the past month for Collingwood’s VFL team, the 25-year-old has been in astonishing form given what he has endured.
He has averaged 29.8 disposals (ranked elite), 15 contested possessions (elite), 6.5 clearances (elite), 12.3 ground ball gets (elite) and 115 ranking points (elite).
Now working as a mortgage broker, he will play on Sunday alongside Tyson Goldsack, back in 20 weeks from his own amazing ACL story.
Woodward told the Herald Sun yesterday he couldn’t be more thrilled for Johnson, adamant he can scale those lofty heights again.
Woodward says he has an affinity with returning Swan Alex Johnson. Picture: AAP
Johnson has had five knee reconstructions. Picture: Getty Images
“When he was playing he was a really good player, so I have no doubt he can get back to that as well,’’ he said.
“Alex and I have kept in touch the last few years, we have quite relatable circumstances and I couldn’t be happier for him.
“It’s a true testament to the character of him and it’s a really good reward for the effort he has put into his rehab.
“I suppose we are part of a little bit of a club and it’s good to have sounding board you can relate to and share your experiences with.
“It’s good to know you are not alone in these circumstances, it’s not easy by any measure and any support like that is just a little thing that helps you through those dark times of rehab but keeps your motivation high.”
Alex Woodward's 4 VFL games in 2018
Stat Score Champion Data Rating
Ranking points 115 Elite
Disposals 29.8 Elite
Contested possessions 15.3 Elite
Uncontested possessions 15 Elite
Groundball gets 12.3 Elite
Clearances 6.5 Elite
Score involvements 5.3 Above average
St Kilda’s potential fairytale story in Nathan Freeman is far from a certainty this weekend despite being close to his first game in five seasons.
Jimmy Webster will return from a groin injury, Hunter Clark could return from a rest, and utility Ben Paton has been close to a debut for weeks.
Freeman didn’t lay a tackle among his 37 disposals and needs to improve that areas, with a VFL bye this weekend making it hard to push his claims.
Woodward needed three reconstructions at Hawthorn but also played two AFL games and won the 2014 Liston Medal as the VFL’s best player.
After rupturing his ACL again in May last year playing for Collingwood’s VFL team, he took his time with his latest recovery.
Instead of easing back into football, he has dominated for a Collingwood VFL side also on a winning run.
Cat Daniel Menzel has had his knee repaired four times.
Notable players who have had multiple knee surgeries
Player No. of surgeries
Alex Johnson 5
Alex Woodward 4
Daniel Menzel 4
David Rodan 4
Clay Smith 3
David Schwarz 3
Jon Patton 3
Max Bailey 3
Ryan Fitzgerald 3
Rourke Smith 2
“Being out of the AFL system forced me to take my time with it, not that I rushed the other ones,” he said.
“But footy was my job and I was paid to do it. Through my rehab the last year it has been a release from the job I do every day.
“I think I have had a not-bad little month and I am not focusing on it, I am just having fun with it.
“The VFL boys have won three of their last four so it’s good to contribute to that.
“I am getting old, I turned 25 in June so to be honest I am not thinking too much about playing footy at AFL level again.
“But I like to think my performances speak for themselves and if an opportunity came I would take it with both hands.
“If not it’s not the end of the world and I have other things outside footy I am enjoying too.”
