Sturt's Michael Coad overcomes injuries to rack up 100 games

MICHAEL Coad's body would probably have advised him against it, but he had no hesitation in signing with Sturt after being delisted by the Gold Coast Suns last AFL season.

MICHAEL Coad's body would probably have advised him against it, but he had no hesitation in signing with Sturt after being delisted by the Gold Coast Suns at the end of last AFL season.

"I just had such a great time the last time I was here that I was always going to come back if I could,'' Coad says.

Injuries have continued to plague the unlucky Double Blues captain upon his return to Unley this season, but they did not stop him from playing his 100th game for the club against South on the weekend.

It is an achievement which he admits he had not dreamt of when he first ventured to the club from Tumby Bay, Eyre Peninsula, more than a decade ago.

"To have had a go in the AFL system and to captain Sturt and play 100 games is amazing really," he says

"It's a lot more than I expected to do."

Injuries, and the strength of Sturt's side, meant Coad took about six years to become a regular league player after arriving at Unley in 2001.

The utility underwent a knee reconstruction early in his time at Sturt among other injury problems.

But when his body finally allowed him to, Coad became a dominant player during 2008 and 2009 as Sturt finished in the top three both seasons.

That led to him being included on the Suns' inaugural list, but his time in Queensland was again dogged by injuries.

Coad sustained broken ribs after a sickening collision while playing VFL in his first season at the club, then ripped his hamstring off the bone in his second season.

He still managed six AFL games.

After returning to Sturt this year, Coad's preseason was restricted after suffering a shoulder injury in the club's opening trial match but he has been able to play every match.

"The body probably is trying to tell me something but I'll keep going for as long as I can,'' Coad says.

"I want to play as much football for Sturt as I can.

"It's a terrific club."