East Geelong captain John McIntyre is confident he will get through training this week and take his place in the Eagles’ team for Saturday’s GDFNL grand final against Werribee Centrals.
McIntyre injured his hamstring early in the qualifying final win over the Centurions on August 22.
A five-time winner of the club’s best-and-fairest, the Mick Thompson Medal, he was sidelined for the following week’s second semi-final victory over Winchelsea, meaning he’s only missed one match.
McIntyre says the call on whether he plays will be made on Thursday night.
“Rehab’s going well… as good as it can go,” McIntyre told media at the GDFNL’s Captains’ Call.
“So, there’s been no major setbacks, and barring, catastrophic re-injury, I’ll be playing.”
However, McIntyre admits there is a risk associated with playing.
“That’s just something you have to live with,” he said.
“You have to weigh up the risks… you need to take risks to win footy games.
“So, yeah, we just hope it doesn’t go.”
McIntyre isn’t the only star Eagle hoping to prove their fitness, with Jake McLean hoping to return from a hamstring injury of his own that he suffered in the Round 18 win over the Centurions.
“It is difficult to watch, but in saying that, I’ve been really proud of the group,” McIntyre said.
“To be able to win without Jake and I. I’ve been really proud of how the boys have done it.
“They’ve shown that they don’t need to rely on myself or Jake to do it.
“So, if either of us don’t get up, the boys will be able to do it.”
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However, East will be without Sam Lowe, as he begins a long recovery from a dislocated hip and a fractured pelvis sustained in the second semi-final.
McIntyre says Lowe will be in the players’ thoughts when they take to St Albans Reserve.
“It puts it into a bit of perspective, doesn’t it?” McIntyre said. “A hamstring for Jake and I doesn’t really mean too much when Sam’s been in hospital.
“He’s been home for the last couple of days. I haven’t seen him since he’s been at home, but, you know, he’s not moving too well.
“He’s got a long recovery ahead of him, and obviously he won’t be playing footy again this year or maybe at all.
“But it’s more his work and social life that’s been affected.
“So that’s just a bit of perspective for guys like me that have a three-week, four-week injury.
“We will be thinking of him, and we have been thinking of him, and we will continue to.
A GoFundMe page has been launched to support Lowe. Donations can be made via this link.
X: @krockfootball
