Live stream: Central District's Aaron Nietschke makes long awaited comeback after Demons hell (SANFL 2022)

Lachlan Hosie kicked five goals as Glenelg won their fifth game in a row with a convincing 39-point victory over wayward Port Adelaide. RELIVE all the action from our LIVE STREAM.

Lachlan Hosie kicked five goals as Glenelg won their fifth game in a row with a convincing 39-point victory over wayward Port Adelaide.

The game was evenly poised for the first half and the Tigers only led by two points - 26-24 - at the main break.

But game opened right up in the second half as Glenelg finally asserted their authority, kicking the last eight goals as Hopsie and Liam McBean (two goals) ran riot.

Port weren’t helped by some dreadfully inaccurate goalkicking. They only kicked 1.7 in the second half.

COMEBACK FOR THE AGES

Aaron Nietschke refuses to be beaten.

Despite copping enough physical and mental blows to decide football wasn’t for him, the Central District farm boy keeps getting off the canvas.

WATCH the REPLAY to see how he went and read on for more on his harrowing injury toll

Meanwhile, South Adelaide pulled off a massive SANFL reserve grade shock in knocking off finals-hunting Glenelg by 26 points.

The 78-52 victory doesn’t lift them off the bottom of the table but it gives them plenty of heart for the remaining eight rounds of the season.

WATCH THE REPLAY BELOW

PREVIEW: Inspiring star who keeps climbing off the canvas

Three times Aaron Nietschke has been knocked down for the count, ruining his hopes of an AFL career with 2021 premier Melbourne.

But he keeps fighting back.

Central District footballer Aaron Nietschke has returned to the Dogs after three years ruined by three knee reconstructions. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Last Saturday – in a low key, no fuss return for the Bulldogs’ reserves against Woodville-West Torrens at Woodville Oval – Nietschke played his first game for premiership points in nearly four years following three reconstructions.

Now he will be in live streamed action here on Saturday when Central takes on North Adelaide in the reserves.

It will be one of three SANFL matches broadcast on KommunityTV with South Adelaide and Glenelg also battling in reserves before a league clash between Port Adelaide and Glenelg.

Playing the first half against the Eagles 15 months after the third reconstruction of his right knee, Nietschke had 13 disposals, took two marks and laid a tackle in an encouraging display.

Most importantly, he came through unscathed with his confidence restored after a horrific three years with the Demons, where he failed to play a full game at any level.

“It was pretty surreal to be back playing,’’ Nietschke, 22, said.

“It’s been a very long time and I was really nervous going into the game and hitting a couple of contests early, but once I got through them the nerves went away.

“I was pretty happy when I walked off at half-time, knowing I’d got through. I felt like I still had my footy nous and I got a bit of the ball, which was good.’’

Aaron Nietschke at Melbourne training in 2018, shortly after being drafted to the Demons. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Drafted by the Demons at age 18 from Central at pick 53 at the 2018 national draft, Nietschke’s tale of woe started a week before the club's first pre-season trial game in February, 2019, when he went to tackle a teammate at training, changed direction and his leg twisted, rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament.

Ten months later, Nietschke, a right-foot kick, was in the final stages of his rehabilitation when he kicked with his left leg in match simulation at training and his right leg again twisted, resulting in a second ACL tear.

Nietschke again went through the sweat and toil of his rehabilitation and, 14 months later, finally made it onto the field for a reserves practice match against Richmond.

But his comeback ended in the second quarter when he was pushed while handballing and landed awkwardly on his right leg, which gave way for the third time.

“I hardly played any football in my three years at Melbourne and as soon as I did my knee for the third time I knew there would be a very low chance of me getting another contract,’’ Nietschke said.

Nietschke and the Bulldogs’ reserves match will be one of three SANFL games live streamed here on Saturday. Picture: Brenton Edwards

He underwent more complex surgery the third time around, having two operations, including a bone graft, two months apart to try to hold the knee together.

The wingman/half-back, who played three league games with Central at the end of his draft year following stellar form in the under-18s, which saw him average 32 disposals and win the league MVP award, was delisted after the Demons last season spectacularly broke their 57-year flag drought by beating the Western Bulldogs in the AFL grand final in Perth.

“I was at the game and it was great to be a part of the squad but unfortunately, with all the injuries, it just never felt like that it was going to happen for me at Melbourne,’’ Nietschke said.

“Everything just kept going against me.’’

But Nietschke refused to yield, not once thinking about chucking it all in.

“I like football too much,’’ he said. “I thought I might drop back a level but I never considered giving up.’’

Nietschke moved back to Adelaide after the grand final intent on playing SANFL again.

Returning to work on his family’s crop and sheep farm at Hansborough in SA’s mid north while also studying agricultural science, Nietschke said his goal now was to simply enjoy his football.

He hopes to play a full game in the reserves against North Adelaide on Saturday before pushing for league selection later in the season and “setting a platform for a stronger season next year’’.