Suns ruck Tom Nicholls opens up about going through a second season without playing in the AFL

TOM Nicholls says the dark thoughts that had him considering leaving the Suns are a distant memory despite his absence from the AFL stretching to a second straight season.

Gold Coast Suns ruckman Tom Nicholls (left) made his comeback from a shoulder injury in the club’s final NEAFL game of the year against Sydney. Pictured here going up against Aspley’s Jake Spencer. Picture: TJ Yelds/NEAFL.

TOM Nicholls says the dark thoughts that had him considering leaving the Suns are a distant memory despite his absence from the AFL stretching to a second straight season.

Nicholls ended 2018 having not played an AFL game after a serious shoulder injury suffered while playing for the Suns NEAFL side against Aspley on April 7.

It was a huge blow to the 26-year-old who had finally got himself back on track after a 2017 season he labelled the toughest of his career.

Injury and form saw Nicholls replaced in the Suns best 22 by Jarrod Witts last year and he revealed he nearly walked away from the game before re-signing until the end of 2019.

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Nicholls has now spent another year on the sidelines but the Victorian said he only saw hope going forward.

“It has been vastly different (to last year),” Nicholls said.

“A lot has changed around the club and the environment is great. The whole vibe of the place is positive.

“I had a great preseason and I was feeling fit but it’s just unfortunate I got the injury when I did.

“Talking to a lot of the guys has given me a bit of perspective too and seeing some of the stuff others have gone through.”

Witts has a been among the best for the Suns since arriving and the leader, who captained the Suns during the later stages of the season, has a tight grip on the position.

At 203cm and with 45 games of AFL experience behind him, Nicholls would likely garner interest from any club looking to sure-up their ruck stocks.

Gold Coast Suns ruckman Tom Nicholls (left) made his comeback from a shoulder injury in the club’s final NEAFL game of the year against Sydney. Pictured here going up against Aspley’s Jake Spencer. Picture: TJ Yelds/NEAFL.

But Nicholls said he had no intention of asking the Suns for a trade in order to chase more opportunity, backing himself to win back the ruck position that used to be his at the Suns.

“I’ll definitely back myself and my game,” Nicholls said.

“I’m looking forward to having a good battle with Wittys again in the preseason, like we did last year.”

Nicholls made his return to footy last weekend, playing in the Suns final NEAFL game of the year against Sydney.

Suns medical staff initially ruled him out of playing any football for the rest of the year but Nicholls said he set himself the goal to get back before the season was over.

“I challenged the doctors and set myself the goal of getting back,” Nicholls said.

“I’ve been able to do that and it gives me a lot of confidence going forward.

“It was a good test for the shoulder (against Sydney). I put it under some pressure and gave it a good stretch out and it held up.”