Injured Crow Matthew Jaensch admits he doesn’t look forward to training at the moment, but says the lonely days in rehabilitation will make him a better player and person in the long run.
Jaensch, 25, ruptured his ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) in Adelaide’s Round Seven clash with St Kilda. The rebounding defender underwent a traditional knee reconstruction, ruling him out of the remainder of the season.
Jaensch said it had been tough watching from the sidelines, particularly, in a difficult period for the Club.
“It’s not nice doing a knee, missing 12 months of footy and seeing the boys play (from the stands) at any time, but with what’s happened along the way with Phil it makes it a little bit harder to be in the rehab room by yourself. It’s been a bit quiet and emotional at times,” Jaensch told The Crows Show.
“I don’t really look forward to coming to the Club to train (like I usually would) because I just want to be out there kicking the footy with the boys, but I know I have to do it because I want to be a better player on the other side.
“Better times are going to be around the corner soon. This is the hard stage and I’ve just got to grind it out.
“There are some bonuses. The boys have to train in five-degree weather outside and I can go to the comforts of the (indoor) weights room and do my thing.”
Nearly three months into his up to 12-month recovery, Jaensch is progressing well.
The former rookie, who was able to train as early as three weeks after his surgery, hopes to take the next step in his comeback and begin running on the anti-gravity treadmill this week.
He’s looking forward to more running and fewer bike sessions after completing a forgettable bike session recently.
“It’s all about leg strength at the moment. I’m doing heaps of leg weights. I’m doing some conditioning as well … swimming, upper-body circuits and bike riding,” he said.
“I actually did the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life the other day – backwards bike. They take the bike seat off, and you lean as far back as you can and pedal backwards with full tension on. Within five seconds, your legs pretty much can’t go any more but that goes for 30 minutes with other little exercises between it.
“For a half an hour of sheer work, it’s the most brutal thing I’ve ever done. I spent the next half an hour standing over a bin vomiting and then the rest of the day in bed! I wouldn’t wish it upon my worst enemy.
“I start running on Monday, so I’m really happy with that. I can’t wait to get back out there again with the boys and get involved in the banter in the warm-ups and stuff.”
‘Banter’ is one of Jaensch’s trademarks and strengths.
A self-confessed pest, the cheeky lad from Hahndorf hasn’t let the injury affect his demeanour around the Club but admits he’s keeping his pranks low-key at the moment.
“I’m just trying to be myself. I give all my energy at the Club and then when I go home I crash and burn,” he said.
“(I’ve played) Just general (pranks), changing blokes’ keys. Blokes with Toyota cars … changing the keys to the cars, so the keys look the same but then the guys can’t actually get into their cars.
“Just a few little pranks like that have been done. Nothing too big because I’ll get a target on my back and I’ll have some big dogs coming after me like the Walkers and the Hendersons.”
