Brisbane Lion Alex Witherden went into shock during junior days playing at a freezing Ballarat
Lion Alex Witherden is heading back to Ballarat this weekend, and one can understand if he’s nervous. The defender has revealed he’s returning to the scene of his most footy bizarre experience — the day he almost froze on the field.
AFL News
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Just the thought of playing footy in Ballarat brings the goosebumps to Alex Witherden’s skin and sets the teeth chattering.
The Lions defender will return to the scene of his most bizarre experience in football on Saturday when he lines up against the Bulldogs at Mars Stadium.
Last time he was there he was only 16 years old playing as an under-ager for the Geelong Falcons under-18 side, when he was unable to take the field for the second half after an incident in the second term.
TEAMS: SEE THE ROUND 8 LINE-UPS
ALASTAIR LYNCH: MY TRADE WINNERS + LOSERS
By incident we mean he froze.
“I was playing fullback and the ball didn’t come over half way for the whole second quarter, I was 70kg with not an ounce of fat on me, or muscle for that matter, and it was three degrees and there were puddles up to our ankles,’’ he said.
“The ball didn’t come down once and I just stood there and froze.
“At half time I went and had a shower to try and warm up but I couldn’t feel a thing on my skin, I kept turning the water hotter and hotter but I couldn’t feel anything so I kept going until it was boiling hot and it sent my nervous system into shock.
“I was shaking, I couldn’t stop shaking, I tried to go out there but I just couldn’t move.
“They put heat packs all over me, I had a doctor sitting with me for over half an hour before I was able to leave the changerooms and go and watch the rest of the game from behind the glass in the coaches box.
“It was quite phenomenal and also quite embarrassing.’’
Two current teammates Hugh McCluggage and Jarrod Berry were opponents that day and while they haven’t spread the word among the Lions’ they are happy to give him the odd ribbing.
Witherden comes from Geelong, so he is no stranger to cold conditions but he reckons this was next level.
And he admits his determination to make an impression on his older teammates may have contributed to his downfall.
“It was ridiculous, there was ice all over the ground before the game,’’ he said.
“They allowed everyone to wear a second long sleeve jumper or skins under their jumpers for the game but I decided not to.
“Here was me trying to be a hero and it cost me big time.
“It hasn’t really filtered out around the club yet but Hughie and Jarrod don’t mind reminding me.
“I haven’t been back there since and I’m a bit nervous about revisiting it.’’
The elephant Port must still get out of the room
Port Adelaide planning to confirm its succession plan from Ken Hinkley to Josh Carr before round 1 is odd timing. This could and should have been done by now, as MATT TURNER writes.
Best 23 locked in? Crows unleash four-headed monster
If what we saw from Adelaide’s forward line on Friday is a sign of things to come, opposition defenders are officially on notice. Get all the intel as the Crows reveal more about their best side.