New Hawk Tom Scully confident he can have an impact in 2019, despite ‘frustrating’ injury recovery

NEW Hawk Tom Scully admits his recovery from a serious ankle injury has been frustrating and while he has no timeline yet, he’s confident he can reward Hawthorn’s faith by making a return this season.

Tom Scully did some light work at Hawthorn training today. Picture: Getty Images

TOM Scully has no timeline on a return to football but he is confident he will have an impact in 2019.

The former Giant and Demon shifted to Hawthorn in the recent trade period and conceded that there was “an element of risk” for the Hawks in taking him on in the midst of a significant ankle injury.

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Tom Scully did some light work at Hawthorn training today. Picture: Getty Images

But the 27-year-old said he took heart from the Hawks’ vow that they would get his injury right.

“It’s feeling OK at the moment. I’m going to start some light loading this week,” Scully said.

“Everything’s on track. It’s going to be a long process, but one I’m confident that I can get right and the Hawks are really confident that if it’s managed well, I can be back playing footy next year which is my ultimate aim.”

He said his training load would increase in coming weeks with an eye to joining the main group in the new year.

New Hawk Tom Scully talks about his ankle injury and his chances of playing Round 1. pic.twitter.com/GSPOcQD28y

— SuperFooty (AFL) (@superfooty) December 2, 2018

But it has been frustrating.

“No doubt. It was a significant injury,” he said.

“I’ve been reassured by medical professionals that with good management and time … that’s the most frustrating thing. You do have to be patient in this process. That’s something I’ve done. I’ve just got to continue to build and respect the injury.”

Scully suffered a serious injury while playing for the Giants in March. Picture: Getty Images

He has signed at Hawthorn for three years and said that the medical testing process he underwent before the trade had only boosted his hopes.

“I’ve been reassured it’s heading in the right direction and I’ve had some positive results of late,” he said.

“If anything, (the medical) actually reassured me they’re confident they can get my ankle right and for me that was a big thing.

“Obviously, there’s an element of risk for everyone involved here, but as I said, it’s not all doom and gloom — I’m pretty confident.”

He said the trade had “come from nowhere” but that it had prompted him to “reflect about where I was at with my football and life in general”.

There was plenty of interest in Scully and his recovery today at the Hawks’ training session at Xavier College. Picture: Getty Images