Why Reilley Batcheldor’s return from her second ACL has been just as mentally tough as physically

Reilley Batcheldor is one of many affected by the ACL epidemic in women’s sports, and as she returned to the court from her second knee rupture she reveals how the battle is just as tough mentally as it is physically.

It takes a bit more than pulling on her shoes, socks and Lightning dress for Reilley Batcheldor to get on the Super Netball court each week.

Before every match the 22-year-old shooter has to take a moment to readjust her focus from her ACL to the game.

It just takes a moment but it is now a crucial step in Batcheldor’s pre-game ritual since rupturing her left ACL for the second time at the Australian Netball Championships in 2022.

The injury, which has become an epidemic in women’s sports, particularly netball and football, had her off the court for the entire 2023 season.

Batcheldor said having the experience of one ACL rehab didn’t make the second any easier – in fact it was the opposite.

“The second time around is definitely harder than the first. As soon as you do it you know exactly what you’re in for, the length of the rehab, it is more impactful on the mental health – knowing how long and what you have to go through during that rehab,” Batcheldor said.

“Having done it already the mental doubt that you have knowing that the first one failed, how long is the second one going to hold up.

Reilley Batcheldor tries to keep her ACL injuries out of mind. Picture: Getty Images

“I think more mentally than physically I was a bit more taken aback by it. The second one I think physically I was more able to step up to the rehab challenge.”

Her first game back was a pre-season practice game against the Mavericks.

“I was very nervous,” Batcheldor said.

“I was working very closely with our team sports psychologist in the lead up.

“She gave me little tips to think of three things that you’re working on in your netball rather than thinking about your knee and how it’s going to hold up.

“It helped me get through my first few games.”

Now eight rounds in those doubts still creep in.

So before every game Batcheldor stops to think of her three netball centric focuses.

But curveballs can easily throw it out of focus.

Like the controversial clash with the Giants.

Lightning had cooled down, thought they had won the match when they were informed they had just 10 minutes to warm up and get back on the court for an extra time battle.

That match was the first time all three of Lightning’s athletes returning from recent ACLs had been on the court at the same time – Batcheldor, Tara Hinchliffe and Shannon Eagland.

Batcheldor said there had been a moment in the changeroom when they all looked at each other, nervously hoping they would come off the court unscathed.

“It is the load that’s more concerning,” Batcheldor said.

“Especially for me having done both my ACLs in a loaded week of netball. Both times I’ve ruptured them it was competition style where I was a bit overloaded.

“I wasn’t thinking about it but there was that little voice in the back of my head that was like ‘okay, just prepare and warm up properly with the little time we had’.

“But it definitely was not very safe for the players.”

For coach Belinda Reynolds those players and their wellbeing had been her first thought.

The knowledge around ACL injuries is much greater in recent years.

Batcheldor said with the high number of them it was hard to ignore.

“Especially having so many ACL injuries in our club, over the past 18 months I think it’s been at the forefront of all of our trainers and coaching staff minds,” Batcheldor said.

“We have worked so hard – one millisecond of a game where you know something could go wrong – that’s them out for a year. I think it is definitely at the forefront, especially at our club.”

Spectators and fans have some insight into what Batcheldor went through to get back on the court – she shared a lot of her journey on her social media pages.

The Lightning lost their match against the Fever on Sunday. Picture: Getty Images

This time around the goaler used her rehab time to improve her strength and add a new element to her game – physicality.

“I feel my game has changed this year compared to my first season,” Batcheldor said.

“I’m definitely able to hold my ground a lot more and step up to the physicality a bit more.

“I think each week it get mores physical. I feel as though I’m able to hold my ground a lot more and not get pushed over whereas back in 2022 I was a bit younger and didn’t really have a lot of experience on the SSN court so I was being shoved around a little bit. I’m glad now that I can hold my ground.”

Batcheldor has had plenty of court time this season – more than even she expected.

“Just coming back on court was huge for me,” she said

“I’ve said from the start that any opportunity I get I’ll be happy with, whether it is five minutes or half a game.

“I think having time away for the court just changed my whole perspective on the game and made me more grateful that I can play now.”

Originally published as Why Reilley Batcheldor’s return from her second ACL has been just as mentally tough as physically