AFL 2022: Carlton defender Sam Docherty ‘grateful’ to be playing for a finals berth after past cancer battles

Carlton star Sam Docherty overcame two knee reconstructions then twice being diagnosed with cancer to make it back to AFL level.

Cancer survivor Sam Docherty will enter Carlton’s high-stakes blockbuster against Collingwood feeling grateful to be alive and have the opportunity to qualify for his first final.

The star Blue is living proof of how important the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre is after twice beating testicular cancer, having also overcome consecutive ACL ruptures.

The two powerhouse AFL clubs are raising awareness and funds for the centre this week, as well as playing for the Richard Pratt Cup at the MCG to raise awareness for prostate cancer in Australia.

That is the backdrop to the football repercussions, with Carlton desperate to guarantee itself a finals berth with victory, while the Magpies will be assured of a top-four spot if they win.

“We’ve done plenty of workshops on how excitement and anxiety sort of sit on each side of one coin, so you need to be able to draw energy off it rather than take energy away,” Docherty said.

Carlton star Sam Docherty twice overcame testicular cancer to make it back to the AFL. Picture: Instagram

“I think it’s a lot on your mental preparation and how you see the position we’re in ... the reality of our group is guys are going to sit on different levels of that.

“I’m pretty excited, probably through the perspective that I’ve had.

“To be able to play in these games that actually matter at round 23 of the footy season, against a big club on a big occasion, furthermore, with Peter Mac and the Richard Pratt Cup, it’s a big moment in time.

“This is what we’ve been training for, for the last 12 months under ‘Vossy’ (coach Michael Voss), and some guys their whole career. I haven’t played finals my whole career.

“It’s going to be a big contest on the weekend and I’m pretty bloody excited about it.”

Sam Docherty has never played in a final in 143 games for Carlton and Brisbane. Picture: Getty Images

Docherty is 143 games into his career without playing in a single final, whereas Demon Jake Bowey, for example, won a premiership in his seventh match and didn’t experience a loss until game 18.

But the 2017 All-Australian cautioned against daydreaming about what might be within their grasp.

“In the end, we do have a game to play this weekend and I have to focus all my energy on that, because if you look too far ahead, generally in AFL footy, it punches you in the face pretty quickly,” he said.

“So whatever happens on the weekend, if it’s playing finals or not, we’ll have to accept that, as long as we play the right way. I think for our group, if we can get there, it will be awesome.

“But I’m more focused on what we bring this week. We’ve got sort of a duty to our own culture and our group that we bring it on the weekend.”

An emotional Ben Cunnington hugs his wife Belinda and kids before his AFL return game last week against Adelaide after beating cancer. Picture: Getty Images

Docherty was thrilled to see North Melbourne champion Ben Cunnington return to AFL level at the weekend after his own cancer battle.

“We’ve provided support for each other across the whole of our cancer journeys and through this year, he’s been pretty tough in terms of his body getting back and playing,” Docherty said.

“That moment of him walking out with Belinda and the kids (was great).

“He doesn’t show much emotion and everyone that I speak to says he hardly says a word, so to see that emotion pour out pre-game was pretty special to see ... I’m incredibly proud of him.”

Originally published as AFL 2022: Carlton defender Sam Docherty ‘grateful’ to be playing for a finals berth after past cancer battles