Alex Woodward doesn’t want his injury history to scare clubs from giving him a second chance

ALEX Woodward doesn’t want his injury history to scare off potential suitors after finally overcoming three knee reconstructions only to be left without an AFL club.

Alex Woodward wants to continue his AFL career. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

LUCKLESS midfielder Alex Woodward doesn’t want his injury history to scare off potential suitors after finally overcoming three knee reconstructions only to be left without an AFL club.

Delisted by Hawthorn last month, Woodward is taking fate into his own hands by writing a letter to AFL clubs and selling himself as both a footballer and a person.

Now fit and healthy, the 23-year-old’s letter has been distributed by his manager Adam Ramanauskas.

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“I’m not 100 per cent sure who he’s sent it out to but it’s with the full intention of trying to get the attention of AFL clubs,” Woodward told the Herald Sun.

“It was a pretty open and honest letter. It’s about how I feel I’m still good enough for AFL and I want to prove myself but I just need that second chance.

“It wasn’t a big letter at all, it was more what I learnt under the Hawthorn system, how I think I’m still worth a second chance and can add to a football club.

Bradley Hill and Alex Woodward celebrate a Hawthorn win.

“You have to sell yourself. On paper with my injury history it’s not too appealing, I’ll admit that, but I’ve been in a really good culture and system at Hawthorn.

“I’ve done my apprenticeship under some quality players and I feel that can be appealing in a sense and I feel like I’ve got a lot to give.”

The popular former Hawk is due a change in luck after playing just two senior games in a five-year career ruined by injuries.

His exposed form is handsome, winning the J.J. ListonTrophy as the VFL’s best and fairest player in 2014 — his only full season since being drafted at pick No. 53 in the 2011 national draft.

Woodward spent most of this year in rehab recovering from his third serious knee injury but managed to return late in the season to play four games for Box Hill in the VFL.

“I understand that clubs are going to be wary of that,” Woodward said of his injuries.

Alex Woodward after winning the J.J Liston Trophy in 2014. Picture: Theo Karanikos/AFL Media

“But at this point in time I’m fit and healthy and it’s just a bit ironic that I’m not on a list at the moment, the one time that I am fit and healthy I need to try and persuade a club to take a chance on me.

“If given a second chance I feel I can repay the faith they put in me.

“The drive is still strong. During my exit interview with Clarko we both mutually agreed my time at Hawthorn wasn’t ideal due to my injuries so a fresh start for both me and the club was probably what was best in terms of having that hunger again.

“I played about a month of footy (this year) and was happy I was able to step back into it quite seamlessly, which was the main focus throughout my rehab that when I did get back to playing footy that it wasn’t going to be a build-up into form.

“It was going to be me hitting the ground running again and pick up from where I left off.

Alex Woodward wants to continue his AFL career.

“I feel that I did that and was pleased that I could still have a lot of confidence in my body and confidence in myself that I can still play a good standard of football.”

Woodward is close with and has been inspired by former Hawthorn teammate Max Bailey, who himself endured a career plagued by knee injuries before being part of the club’s 2013 flag.

He’s also found inspiration from fellow multiple serious knee injury victims in Geelong’s Daniel Menzel and Western Bulldogs premiership player Clay Smith who have shown persistence pays off.

Woodward is back training as if he’s about to return for pre-season in the hope he’ll soon get his second chance.

“I’ve been training by myself to keep the body in shape,” he said. “This next month as a whole is a bit of a waiting game for me but I’ll just continue to train and keep fit.

“I’ve been given a program by (Hawthorn fitness assistant) Phil Merriman, who’s been really good to me in giving me a running program and weights program.”

Originally published as Alex Woodward doesn’t want his injury history to scare clubs from giving him a second chance