There’s nonetheless no clear timeline on his return however Essendon midfielder Dylan Shiel is holding out hopes his thirteenth season is usually a profession finest marketing campaign.
A persistent and mysterious foot concern restricted the 2017 All-Australian to solely 12 video games final 12 months, however Shiel says the damage is “getting better every week” as he eyes a return in both the Bombers’ second pre-season match or spherical 1.
The 30-year-old, who performed a starring function within the Bombers’ 4-1 begin to final season, stated he had put in “a mountain of work” to close full health however progress had proved troublesome as a result of have to fastidiously handle the load by his ft.
“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 stated it was “too soon” to return to motion however 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 stated.
“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 fast return to play, he nonetheless harboured ambitions of delivering a profession finest season for the Bombers in his sixth marketing campaign since shifting 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 stated.
“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 stated.
“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.”
Source: www.news.com.au
