AFL 2024: Essendon midfielder Dylan Shiel hopes for round 1 return
A senior Essendon midfielder hopes his “mountain of work” on a persistent injury problem can set up a career best year.
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There’s still no clear timeline on his return but Essendon midfielder Dylan Shiel is holding out hopes his 13th season can be a career best campaign.
A persistent and mysterious foot issue restricted the 2017 All-Australian to only 12 games last year, but Shiel says the injury is “getting better every week” as he eyes a return in either the Bombers’ second pre-season match or round 1.
The 30-year-old, who played a starring role in the Bombers’ 4-1 start to last season, said he had put in “a mountain of work” to near full fitness but progress had proved difficult due to the need to carefully manage the load through his feet.
“You can’t run on your hands, I’ve discovered,” he joked.
“You can’t avoid the feet … they’re a delicate part of the body, and you need to be really listening to the experts on how to come back.
“[I’ve been] working on the intrinsic muscles of the foot to make sure certain parts of the foot aren’t being exposed – I’ve been doing a mountain of work that doesn’t get me too much credibility in the gym with how much weight I’ve been shifting, (but) it’s important work that I’m doing.”
Shiel said it was “too soon” to return to action but hoped to be match-fit by the Bombers’ season opener on March 16.
“It’s getting better every week, which is good. It’s been a slow journey over this pre-season, but fortunately I’m making some good ground,” Shiel said.
“It’s probably too soon to be rolling out and playing just yet. We haven’t got a hard time on it yet, we’re making sure I can get the foot right, get the body OK, so then when I declare myself fit to play, I’m ready to perform.
“If that’s a practice game, round one, great. And if it’s not, we’ll just take it as it is.”
Despite the cloud over his immediate return to play, he still harboured ambitions of delivering a career best season for the Bombers in his sixth campaign since moving from GWS.
“I believe I still have plenty of football left in me. That’s why I’m still here, giving my best every day with everything I do in my training, in the meetings, even in my recovery and trying to help others get better around the club,” he said.
“I don’t think anyone would come out and not try and give it their best or try to give it their best.
“It’s certainly the mindset I’ve taken, every year is a chance to have a career-best year. “
He said a floated move to St Kilda during the trade period was not close to eventuating, although it would have dramatically shortened his commute from the bayside area to training.
“To be honest, I wasn’t looking at it. It was a surprise when the media reported it. I was enjoying my off-season with the family,” Shiel said.
“There was the opportunity to move to the Saints, that’s been reported. It would have been a more convenient drive from home, I live just around the corner there.
“But fortunately, I’m still here. This is where I’ve always wanted to be. I’ve been really clear with the club how committed I am in helping this club (get) where it wants to be, and I’m excited.”
Originally published as AFL 2024: Essendon midfielder Dylan Shiel hopes for round 1 return
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