Sam Naismith has opened up about the "frustration" he feels at not being able to play again - having returned to the game in round one after two lost seasons through injury, before being sidelined once more when Covid-19 wrapped its malevolent tentacles around the planet.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
In his comeback game in round one on March 21, the Sydney Swans ruckman impressed in a three-point defeat of the Crows in Adelaide.
It was a "great feeling" to play again, he said post-match.
Somewhat prophetically, he also said he felt "isolated" during his marathon injury rehabilitation from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and related complications (he spent 912 days out of action).
Now a nation knows what that is like.
Emerging confidently from those dark days has not made this phase of his life any easier.
Speaking from self-isolation at his Darlinghurst apartment in inner Sydney, the 27-year-old said: "In a sense, it's probably more frustrating - just because I've been through the long layoff, and then played in round one, and all of a sudden there's a massive break again for an unknown period of time.
"So, it's out of my control."
The Gunnedah native also spoke about the "mental health battle" he waged during his time in AFL purgatory (he had considered retiring).
However, the toughest period of his life - made worse by his sister Kristi's battle with pancreatic cancer - "shaped" him into the "more resilient" man he is today.
Despite facing another lengthy period sidelined, and the prospect of a 70-per-cent pay cut if the season is cancelled, the 2.06-metre big man is not wallowing in self-pity.
"In the whole scheme of things, as footy players we're pretty lucky, considering what's going on in the world ... At the end of the day, we're just not playing footy for a few month."
Read also:
Keeping Naismith company in isolation is his Brussels griffon puppy, Bobby.
His flatmate, fellow Swan Robbie Fox, is in Tasmania. Bobby was "great company", Naismith said.
The ruckman is doing his best to stay in shape with "limited resources".
The Swans dropped off training equipment at his home and he jogs.
"All you can do is just try and keep fit and keep motivated in these times," he said.
Naismith believes that the AFL season resuming would help "take everyone's mind off" the epidemic, although he says there are more pressing concerns.
It will be extra special when he finally gets the chance to play in front of his family and friends again.
"I was over the moon to be able to come back and play [but] it was in weird circumstances," he said.
"Like, I wasn't able to have family, or anyone, come and watch the game [because of the fan lockout].
"I would have loved my family to have come there and share that moment with me."
Despite the premature nature of his playing revival, he is comforted by this fact: "At least I know I'm fine to come back and play again.
"But I just don't know when the next game is gonna be, which is frustrating."
He echoed the mood of a nation when he said: "It's strange times we're living in, that's for sure."
