What return to football would be the most inspirational?

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Jason McCartney- Survivor of the 2002 bali bombings at the sari club and suffered 50% burns to his body. On June 6 2003, McCartney showed one of the greatest and most courageous feats in sport by making a return to the AFL. Playing for the kangas against richmond McCartney was heavily bandaged, wore a long-sleeved top and had to wear special gloves. But he made his return to the game of afl and kicked the a goal that would give his team the victory.

i know this is a big if, but..
If adam ramanauskas was to return.
In 2003, Ramanauskas was diagnosed with a low grade cancer (fibramatosis) in his neck after Round 3. He missed the next 8 matches and luckily made a quick recovery to play again in 2003. Following this was a solid 2004 season where he played in all of the Bombers' 24 games.
Ramanauskas had more misfortune in 2005 when he underwent a knee reconstraction after a Round 4 training mishap. After he had completed his recovery, however, in February 2006, a recurrence of the cancer appeared and has not played a game since then.

or if:
Tom Lonergan was to return
On August 26 2006, Lonergan suffered a serious internal injury in Round 21 of the season in a draw game against melbourne He was hit hard in the ribs while backing into a contest during the fourth quarter. He was taken to hospital and had his right kidney removed. He is now a rookie listed player and would have to be extremely tough to make a comeback.
 

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kane249

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#7
Considering theres been a few footballers who have returned to play football after having their kidney's removed, i wouldn't say Lonergan's is that great comparison.

Sam Newman ended up playing 300 games despite having his kidney removed.

McCartney is by far and away the best of that lot. To almost lose your life like that in those cicrumstances and to come back, truly inspirational
 

Alphanumeric

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#9
Considering theres been a few footballers who have returned to play football after having their kidney's removed, i wouldn't say Lonergan's is that great comparison.

Sam Newman ended up playing 300 games despite having his kidney removed.

McCartney is by far and away the best of that lot. To almost lose your life like that in those cicrumstances and to come back, truly inspirational
I reckon McCartney and Ramanauskas are to hard to split.

Both have come close to passing away.
 

BK Eaglesfan

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#11
Hard to split McCartney and Rama. No disrespect to Lonergan as that would be a wonderful effort too.

Very difficult with the other two, McCartney either lives or dies on the night and the following days, I guess once he was out of the 'danger period' he was always going to live, just a case of whether he could return to fitness. Rama on the other hand, cancer ain't a live or die on day one, live and you should be OK proposition...it's a day by day battle and more lose than win unfortunately for the all the advances we've made in technology and medicine.
 

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augie

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#12
I have found Cain Ackland's return to football the most inspiring. I mean, I am a very average local league footballer, and to see another very average local league footballer make it to the big time means that anybody can do anything.
 

Shellz

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#15
A Darren Millane comeback would certainly impress me.....
We'd have Pants back in an instant if it were only possible


McCartney's comeback was definitly inspirational... never felt so happy to see a player not from Collingwood run out onto the field and when he kicked that goal it was a surreal moment. Take my hat off to him.
 

Upgrayedd

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#17
I'd like to see Lou Richards make a return.
It'd bring a tear to my eye to see the great man running around again.
expect him to nominate for the PSD and essendon picking him up
i dont think Lou Richards can physically run anymore
 
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