Torquay forward Lucas Anderson considered abandoning his return to the field in 2025

A champion BFNL goalkicker has revealed the toughest period during his recovery after a season-ending knee injury in April last year.

Lucas Anderson played his first BFNL game since a season-ending knee injury in April last year. Picture: Mark Wilson

There was a particularly dark period where Torquay forward Lucas Anderson began to question if a return to the football field this year was possible after a season-ending knee injury last April.

The 33-year-old’s return had been delayed approximately two months ago after he required a clean out of the problematic knee.

And while some may have thought missing out on the Tigers’ 2024 flag last September would have been the lowest point for the veteran, they’d be wrong.

It was a month or so ago where the veteran considered sticking 2025 in the bin and shifted his gaze to pre-season instead.

“I always wanted to get back, but it got to a point where (I thought) it might be too hard,” Anderson said.

Lucas Anderson booted two goals on his return to BFNL footy. Picture: Mark Wilson

Fortunately though, Anderson had some positive people in his circle, like senior coach Dom Gleeson and strength and conditioning staffer Ben Kennedy.

“I was a bit down, I spoke to Dom and I was like: ‘I don’t know if I can do this, it’s just getting at me a little bit’,” he said.

“But as always, Dom backs you in, just tells you to step away for a week or two and clear your head.”

Anderson would take a week away, and it proved to be just the tonic for an eventual return at McCartney Oval on Saturday against Portarlington.

“The motivation came pretty quickly, once you get close to getting a taste of getting back out there, you can’t wait for it really,” he said.

The former St Joseph’s forward said Gleeson had been “amazing” throughout the whole period.

Torquay coach Dom Gleeson encouraged Lucas Anderson to take some time off after a setback in his recovery. Picture:Mark Wilson

“He’s the best coach I’ve ever had ... the best man I’ve come across, what he’s done for our family, I’ll be in debt forever,” he said.

“He’s the perfect role model as a coach and as a dad.

“Someone that I aspire to be ... we probably wouldn’t be where we are if he wasn’t the coach.”

Named on Friday for the game against the Demons, Anderson said he was “so overwhelmed” with support, even from players and coaches at rival teams.

“It sort of snuck up, not many expected it to be honest,” he said.

“It’s an amazing little community and league that we’re involved in.”

Anderson’s children, Alby, 5, and Odie, 3, were also on the sidelines at McCartney Oval on Saturday cheering on their father, who was mobbed by his teammates after kicking his first goal early in the second quarter.

Anderson is embraced by his teammates after a goal early in the second term at McCartney Oval. Picture:Mark Wilson

“It felt very good, I actually got a little bit emotional out there to be honest when all the boys got around me,” he said.

“It got the hairs standing up on the back of my neck.

“You take for granted I suppose how fun footy is and how much it means to a lot of people.”

He said having his two boys’ support on the sidelines, with their friends making some banners, made him extra emotional.

“You don’t really think about when you don’t have kids, but when you’ve got kids it does grab at your heartstrings a little bit,” he said.

Curiously, everything was aching on Sunday morning apart from his problematic knee when talking to this masthead.

“Pretty tender, my knee’s fine, it’s just everything else,” he said.

Anderson takes a breather during his side’s demolition of Portarlington. Picture:Mark Wilson

The whole experience has given Anderson a wider view on football and its importance, both individually and to the wider community, receiving plenty of advice from other players who had injured their knees at a similar age.

“It does make you appreciate footy for what it is, not so much the actual playing part but being involved in the club,” he said.

“You realise how much footy means to you and your family.

“I’ll keep going for as long as I can.”

Anderson has joined a Tiger offence which has really started to hit its straps over the past four games, with young guns Banjo Dyer and Will Montebello leading the way.

Meanwhile, son of Geelong assistant James Rahilly, Van, booted three in his fourth senior game against the Demons.

Paddy Hughes and Van Rahilly celebrate one of the youngster’s three goals. Picture: Mark Wilson

“We’re starting to get our mix right, and getting a few guys back, and those young guys like Banjo and Montebello are starting to find their feet a bit which is nice to see,” he said.

“They’re growing in confidence every week ... expecting to mark it, whereas probably in the early days they were a bit hesitant.

“(Rahilly) came in probably a month ago now and every game he’s been impressive, just with his foot speed and skills, he’s a confident young fella which is awesome, backs himself in.

“That’s what I’m out there to do now, to support them I suppose.

“That’s what I got out of yesterday, it’s so enjoyable watching them boys take the next step.”

Originally published as Torquay forward Lucas Anderson considered abandoning his return to the field in 2025