Jericho looking for light in tough times

THE four-time premiership winner with the Tigers is remaining positive despite injury and outside factors.

HAPPIER TIMES: Lauren Jericho (left) celebrates the Toowoomba Tigers grand final victory over University last year. Picture: Nev Madsen

AUSSIE RULES: Season 2020 was supposed to be the one the Toowoomba Tigers pushed for their fifth-straight women’s AFL Darling Downs flag.

With the future of the season still indefinite, the squad is doing all it can to keep spirits high as they enter the unknown.

Lauren Jericho has been a staple of the Tigers since their inclusion into the competition in 2016.

The leading light has been battling a hamstring injury in the lead up to the season, but maintains a sense of sadness at how things have panned out so far.

“It’s a bit disappointing for everyone,” Jericho said.

“We’re all wanting the season to still go ahead.

“I’m really missing the social aspect and the regularity of going to training and seeing my footy mates.

“For myself it has been good in a way coming back from a hamstring injury. It gives me the chance to rehab it a little more than I would have been able to coming into the season and get a bit more run in my legs.

“Ultimately you’d like to do that on the footy field though.”

With a number of institutions closed to help her recovery, Jericho said she has resorted to other methods to try and get herself back to full health.

“Everything is pretty much closed at the moment,” she said.

“I’m getting back into how to do body weight exercises, and while we can’t do it in groups, there is the opportunity to get some run in the legs and take the dog for a walk.

“Where I work at The Fit Lab is still offering programs.

“It’s definitely getting there. It’s a long process and I don’t want to get back a little too soon and risk further damage.”

Toowoomba has enjoyed an unprecedented level of success across the Darling Downs, with the club winning the flag every year they’ve been in the competition.

Jericho credits that success with the tight-knit nature of the playing group, something that has been tested throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

“We’ve got a lot of girls that really do get along well with each other,” she said.

“We love playing with each other on the field, and it’s often more the camaraderie.

“Players want to go to training to be able to see our mates and have a bit of a kick.

“Somehow we seem to get more awesome girls to get on board with the team.

“We love going along to training, but at the moment it’s not the same.”

She said while no formal training programs are in place, they are focusing on more than just physical health currently.

“We’re currently not doing anything yet but we’re trying to do a few programming aspects. Even just some bits and pieces to keep people still involved and engaged,” Jericho said.

“Group chats are still going to keep everyone in the loop. With all the COVID talk going on, it’s important to focus on mental health and make sure everyone is still going good and has something to do.

“As much as sometimes technology isn’t the best all the time, it is good at the moment to keep in contact.”

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