EFL 2019: Bryce Batty on the comeback trail from concussion

Lilydale best and fairest winner Bryce Batty hasn’t played for three months after a concussion in Round 6, but the star midfielder could return for EFL Division 1 finals.

Bryce Batty takes a mark. 2017 Picture: David Crosling

Lilydale midfielder Bryce Batty remains in the mix for an EFL Division 1 finals return as he overcomes lingering concussion issues from a head knock suffered three months ago.

The Falcons’ 2018 best and fairest winner hasn’t played since Round 6 but has been given the all clear from doctors to return to playing.

Batty suffered the blow in Round 5 against Upper Ferntree Gully and played the following week.

Lilydale coach Ben Neagle said the club was unaware of the seriousness of the knock until nine days after the injury.

“He came to training on the Monday and was vomiting (and) couldn’t stand up,” Neagle said.

“(He) got assessed, had brain scans and they just said he had concussion syndrome.

“He literally couldn’t move out of his bedroom for probably five weeks. (He) couldn’t have any light in his eyes, it was just migraines and vomiting for about two weeks.”

Batty was also off work as an electrician for a month as he recovered.

“It’s been a long road for him,” Neagle said.

“He’s been training for probably three weeks — just running basically — and he’s finally been cleared so we’re going to see how he goes with a bit of contact this week and see how he responds to that.

“Just him getting back around the boys, he’s been fantastic. It’s all positive.”

But Neagle said Batty’s possible return for finals remained in doubt.

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Lilydale is a game inside the top three with a 10-6 record.

“We’re just going to wait and see how he goes at training this week and make a call whether we bring him in maybe this week or we play him through the twos,” Neagle said.

“We’re just going to assess it but he’s really keen to go and the doctors are happy and satisfied that he’s ticked all the boxes.

“We’re not going to rush him. At the end of the day, he’s a 22-year-old kid and he’s got his whole life ahead of him.

“Football is only a small part of that and I think he’s got other things to worry about as to whether or not he plays again this year.

“It’s all well and good him saying he’s been cleared because he’s keen. You know what a 22-year-old is like — they think they’re bullet proof.”

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