Gallman says won't change the way he plays after horror jaw injury

GUTSY North Adelaide skipper Greg Gallman says he will not change the way he plays as he resumes from a horror jaw injury.

back playing

GUTSY North Adelaide skipper Greg Gallman says he will not change the way he plays as he resumes from a horror jaw injury.

Gallman snapped his jaw after copping an accidental knee to the face while running back with the flight of the ball for a mark against Central in round two.

The surgeon was forced to manually put his jaw back into place and wire Gallman's teeth together. He was initially advised by specialists against playing again this season.

Fifteen weeks later, he took to the oval for North Adelaide's reserves during the 13-point win over Port Adelaide at Prospect on Saturday.

"I'm confident with the work I've done now that I'm ready," Gallman says.

"I feel confident enough that I'll be running in just as hard and playing the way I always do. I think you have to have that attitude." Gallman describes the weeks after the injury as horrific.

Forced to move back in with his parents house, the defender could not open his mouth for three weeks and lost 6kg because he could not eat solids.

"It was shocking, I spent a lot of time just sitting on my parent's recliner.

"I've had some pretty shocking injuries, but this one was by far the worst in terms of the rehab and what I had to go through afterwards."

Spurring Gallman on through his recuperation was the form of his teammates.

North sits second on the SANFL ladder with a 9-4 record and the first year captain has been itching to get back amongst it.

"It's been good to watch the way the guys have gone about it,'' he says.

"The guys that have come in have done a terrific job especially in defence where we've had some injuries.

"Whether we were playing well or playing poorly I'd want to be out there doing what I can to help, but the fact it looks like there is going to be a finals campaign at the end of the season has really driven me to try to get back.

"I've been working as hard as I can on my fitness, but I need to get some matches under my belt now."