West Coast premiership defender Tom Cole says he made the suitable determination in abandoning his plans to return from damage late final season.
Cole was struck down by a severe ankle damage final summer season and his gradual restoration meant he would have solely been capable of play on the tail-end of the 2022 season.
With West Coast’s finals hopes already lengthy passed by that stage, the choice was made to construct Cole up for 2023 somewhat than danger him for the sake of some video games final 12 months.
The 25-year-old, who made his enjoying return in final week’s practice-match win over Port Adelaide, is glad he took the cautious method.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve played an official game of footy, so it was nice to get through unscathed – and good to get a win, too,” Cole informed reporters on Tuesday.
“I pushed to play the back end of last year and then made a decision with probably five rounds to go it wasn’t worth it.
“I simply pulled again a bit and continued with the straight-line operating till most likely three weeks into the low season, and it has been a gradual construct since then.
“I’ve just been doing the same program as all the boys after that, so it was probably the right decision in the end.”
When Cole first injured himself within the lead-up to a pre-season sport final 12 months he did not assume a lot of it.
“It was the Tuesday (training session), the last 30 seconds, a bit of an innocuous one too,” he stated.
“I think I just went over on (the ankle). I didn’t think it was much. It thought I’d play again in a couple of weeks, but it ended up being worse than that.
“It was harm to my cartilage and required surgical procedure.”
Cole’s setback was a precursor to one of the club’s worst ever injury runs.
The mass casualties resulted in West Coast’s worst ever season – a 2-20 campaign.
But given that most of the club’s star players are now back fit and firing, there are hopes West Coast could give the top eight a nudge this year.
With veteran midfielders Luke Shuey and Elliot Yeo set to spend more time in defence this year, players like Cole face stiff competition to keep their spot.
Alex Witherden, Josh Rotham, Harry Edwards and Brady Hough are among the other defenders who will be fighting for berths.
Cole, who has additionally been coaching on the wing, is embracing the competitors for spots and looking out ahead to marking the likes of Izak Rankine in Friday’s pre-season conflict with Adelaide in Perth.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
