Life balance helps Hawthorn midfielder Alex Woodward return from a third knee reconstruction in four years

THREE knee reconstructions in four years has taught Hawthorn’s Alex Woodward many life and football lessons, most importantly about balance.

THREE knee reconstructions in four years has taught Hawthorn’s Alex Woodward many life and football lessons, most importantly about balance.

The 23-year-old first ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament five minutes into the first practice match of 2012, did it again at training 11 months later then broke down while playing for Box Hill in the VFL last year.

The tough inside midfielder, who in 2014 won the Liston Trophy and made his AFL debut, made his comeback in the VFL Development League on Sunday.

“The first two times I did it I tended to surround myself with football, even in rehab I was always doing something related to football, but this time round I’ve really embraced time away from it,’’ he said.

“Family and friends or study, I’ve found it important to get away and keep my mind fresh so when I did come back and play I was really keen and eager to get stuck in rather than that having that draining feeling of being surrounded by footy all the time.”

Woodward has completed a real estate course at Deakin University, is studying to become a mortgage broker and renovated his apartment with dad Tony, while puppy Koda has been great therapy.

“I got her last June then a few weeks later I hurt my knee again. Having her around, even though she was only a puppy and a bit of a nuisance, has been unbelievable,’’ he said.

“She’s kept my mind off things, every time I see her it’s never a dull moment.”

Woodward’s resilience, positive outlook and attitude is impressive and endearing.

Hawthorn assistant coach Damian Carroll has long known Woodward’s made of tough stuff.

Carroll taught Woodward at Mazenod College then coached him at Box Hill.

“It’s a tough road once, let alone three times, to go down and he’s in a good spot mentally which is crucial coming back from adversity,’’ he said.

“Alex has never asked for pity, he’s never asked for any extra special treatment, he’s just continued to go about his business.”

Woodward says positivity and perspective are key.

“Three knee reconstructions by the age of 23 isn’t ideal and on paper it doesn’t look great, but mentally I still feel like I’ve got a lot of footy ahead of me,’’ he said.

“There’s obviously times you’re down and that’s OK, you’ve just got to make sure those periods don’t go for too long. I’ve embraced those periods and when I’m down I’ll let that be, but when I’m up I like to really be positive and take things as they come.

“Injuries are part of football, unfortunately it’s been three long-term injuries but hopefully moving forward I’ve put that behind me.”

Alex Woodward in his Liston Trophy year for Box Hill.

Comebacks, all three of them, aren’t possible without an incredible support crew.

“Phil Merriman my rehab facilitator has been with me since day one, ever since my first knee reconstruction. He’s helped me through all three now and isn’t just my rehab facilitator but a really good friend,’’ he said.

“Luke Boyd, Andrew Russell the conditioning coach at Hawthorn, physios Anthony Fernon, Andrew Lambart and Bruce Connor are one massive team and they’re really helped me through an unfortunately injury-riddled career but also helped me stay positive.

“Everyone’s part of the process and on the journey with me, they experience the highs and the lows. It’s really important to have that support around me, rehab’s a lonely place at times but those guys really have helped me mentally get through the hard stages of rehab.

“I’ve got a lot of praise for my family - mum (Emily), dad (Jeff) and my sister (Melanie). It hasn’t just been tough for me but really tough for them as well. For them to see me back out there is a great feeling.”

Alex Woodward wins the 2014 VFL JJ Liston trophy. Picture: AFL Media.

Woodward, who was averaging 27 possessions a game before succumbing to injury last season, made a seamless return to football at Box Hill City Oval.

He collected 18 disposals, 13 in the opening term, in a half of game time.

“Knowing I’d put in the work I was really confident in my body, there was no reason why I couldn’t back it in, and that’s really important because I didn’t want to hesitate when it came to attacking the footy,’’ he said.

“I was just really eager to get my hands on the footy again, get stuck into it. I get nervous before every game so I embraced that.

“I felt like I was getting into my groove again and that I hadn’t missed a beat which was nice, just wanted to get that first touch out of the way and I was pretty happy that came along early.”

And while his knee got through unscathed, Woodward will be sidelined for up to four weeks after fully-rupturing his plantar fascia.

He tweeted it best: “Another small setback, but I’ll be back soon.”