Comeback kings shrug off injuries for starring roles on big stage

ONE of the AFL’s oldest theories has been debunked. The unwritten rule was: don’t play underdone footballers.

But in the first four finals, underdone players were pivotal.

There was heroic Toby Greene, stoic Tyson Goldsack, plus Zac Williams, Jack Viney, Josh Kennedy, Adam Treloar, James Sicily and Brett Deledio.

Giant Greene had missed three matches with a hamstring strain, but collected 27 disposals, kicked 3.3 and had eight inside 50s in the belting of Sydney.

His teammate Williams ruptured an Achilles tendon in January. On return: 23 disposals, nine marks, four tackles, while fellow Giant Deledio, who had been out for three games with a calf complaint, had 22 disposals, seven marks and five inside 50s.

In Perth, West Coast forward Kennedy, who missed five matches with a fractured shin, booted two goals from six scoring shots.

But early he was well held by Magpie Goldsack, who also hadn’t played all season after a knee reconstruction in March.

Goldsack’s teammate Treloar had missed nine games because of a hamstring tear. His comeback netted 24 disposals.

Another Magpie, Jeremy Howe, was summoned after a four-match absence due to a thigh injury and gathered 16 disposals and six marks.

Then there’s Melbourne co-captain Jack Viney, absent for two months before the finals with a toe injury. He had 20 disposals and laid 11 tackles in the win over Geelong.

And Hawk Sicily, sidelined for the last six home-andaway games with a fractured wrist, had 21 possessions and eight rebounds from his side’s defensive 50m arc.