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Finally, doors opening for Pies recruit
3:38 PM Thu 21 June, 2007 | Back
By Jennifer Witham,
for collingwoodfc.com.au
3:38 PM Thu 21 June, 2007 | Back
By Jennifer Witham,
for collingwoodfc.com.au
News
WHEN Chris Dawes caught his leg under a fellow Sandringham Dragon and felt his anterior cruciate ligament snap late last season, he thought his chances of being recruited by an AFL club were all but over.
Dawes underwent a knee reconstruction following the collision with his teammate and was forced to contemplate a year out of the game as he recovered from the serious injury.
The impressive 19-year-old was still invited to the league's draft camp, but attended with no expectations as he was aware of the gamble any potential suitor would need to take on him and his wonky knee.
"I was a risk, because they didn't know how well the knee was going to go, and I always thought I'd be lucky if I got drafted," Dawes told collingwoodfc.com.au.
"I feel pretty lucky getting to Collingwood. Before I did the knee and before I went to draft camp, I wasn't sure if I'd get drafted.
"Hurting my knee worried me, and the news I'd require a reco and would have a year out, but once I got to the camp, enough clubs spoke to me that I thought I was a chance and that I might get picked later in the draft or rookie listed."
The first few months of a recruit's life at an elite sporting club are meant to be full of excitement and anticipation, but for Dawes, his introduction to AFL football provided anything but.
"I got to the club a month into my recovery, and it was difficult at first getting to a new club where I didn't really know anyone, and you can't make an impression because you can't play or train," he said.
"I found rehab really lonely, although for the first three months I was working with Alan Didak, because he had a knee reconstruction as well, but now I've settled in and it's become more routine.
"I'm still about a month off playing, which is frustrating because I'm close to full training now. It's been difficult, because once we get into the season, the training load lightens for those who are playing, but as they've started doing just enough to get them through each week, I've been starting my pre-season.
"I've been working closely with the rehab coordinator, and so he is putting me through my paces, which I find pretty tough at times."
Despite the best efforts of the playing group and coaching staff, Dawes said he felt "alienated" as he went about rebuilding his fitness as the knee got stronger.
"They'd all go out and do their training together, go for a run and get the footies out for a few hours, then they'd come inside and do weights together, and I was on a separate timetable to them," he said.
"I was unsure of what to do most of the time, and I found that pretty difficult. The senior players knew that I was new to the club, and a lot of them had been through serious injuries, so they were good with keeping me involved and keeping me motivated.
"They'd come over and give me a pat on the back, but it didn't really compensate for not being able to train with them. One of the first things you want to do when you get to a club is try and win the respect of the players, and it was difficult because I haven't been able to prove that much."
Dawes "isn't quite fully training yet" and believes his running needs further work before he can seriously consider playing again. However, he thinks he'll be available for selection in six to eight weeks.
With the club blooding six first-gamers this season alone, Dawes is encouraged by Mick Malthouse's inclination to give the young Magpies every opportunity to prove themselves at senior level.
"Our group of first year players have become pretty close, so as frustrating as it is, it's also awesome to see some of these guys get their opportunity," he said.
"That's been great, but it is frustrating. It's encouraging to see, and the club recruited pretty well in my view, so there are a lot of blokes pushing for senior selection.
"It's reassuring that there is a chance for me."
http://collingwoodfc.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/5586/Default.aspx?newsId=45763
WHEN Chris Dawes caught his leg under a fellow Sandringham Dragon and felt his anterior cruciate ligament snap late last season, he thought his chances of being recruited by an AFL club were all but over.
Dawes underwent a knee reconstruction following the collision with his teammate and was forced to contemplate a year out of the game as he recovered from the serious injury.
The impressive 19-year-old was still invited to the league's draft camp, but attended with no expectations as he was aware of the gamble any potential suitor would need to take on him and his wonky knee.
"I was a risk, because they didn't know how well the knee was going to go, and I always thought I'd be lucky if I got drafted," Dawes told collingwoodfc.com.au.
"I feel pretty lucky getting to Collingwood. Before I did the knee and before I went to draft camp, I wasn't sure if I'd get drafted.
"Hurting my knee worried me, and the news I'd require a reco and would have a year out, but once I got to the camp, enough clubs spoke to me that I thought I was a chance and that I might get picked later in the draft or rookie listed."
The first few months of a recruit's life at an elite sporting club are meant to be full of excitement and anticipation, but for Dawes, his introduction to AFL football provided anything but.
"I got to the club a month into my recovery, and it was difficult at first getting to a new club where I didn't really know anyone, and you can't make an impression because you can't play or train," he said.
"I found rehab really lonely, although for the first three months I was working with Alan Didak, because he had a knee reconstruction as well, but now I've settled in and it's become more routine.
"I'm still about a month off playing, which is frustrating because I'm close to full training now. It's been difficult, because once we get into the season, the training load lightens for those who are playing, but as they've started doing just enough to get them through each week, I've been starting my pre-season.
"I've been working closely with the rehab coordinator, and so he is putting me through my paces, which I find pretty tough at times."
Despite the best efforts of the playing group and coaching staff, Dawes said he felt "alienated" as he went about rebuilding his fitness as the knee got stronger.
"They'd all go out and do their training together, go for a run and get the footies out for a few hours, then they'd come inside and do weights together, and I was on a separate timetable to them," he said.
"I was unsure of what to do most of the time, and I found that pretty difficult. The senior players knew that I was new to the club, and a lot of them had been through serious injuries, so they were good with keeping me involved and keeping me motivated.
"They'd come over and give me a pat on the back, but it didn't really compensate for not being able to train with them. One of the first things you want to do when you get to a club is try and win the respect of the players, and it was difficult because I haven't been able to prove that much."
Dawes "isn't quite fully training yet" and believes his running needs further work before he can seriously consider playing again. However, he thinks he'll be available for selection in six to eight weeks.
With the club blooding six first-gamers this season alone, Dawes is encouraged by Mick Malthouse's inclination to give the young Magpies every opportunity to prove themselves at senior level.
"Our group of first year players have become pretty close, so as frustrating as it is, it's also awesome to see some of these guys get their opportunity," he said.
"That's been great, but it is frustrating. It's encouraging to see, and the club recruited pretty well in my view, so there are a lot of blokes pushing for senior selection.
"It's reassuring that there is a chance for me."
http://collingwoodfc.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/5586/Default.aspx?newsId=45763
