Injured skipper to still lead his side against St Joseph’s
NEWTOWN & Chilwell captain Matt McMahon has conceded he is still recovering from surgery on his achilles ahead of today’s qualifying final against St Joseph’s.
The star on-baller missed just the Round 15 defeat to St Mary’s after having surgery on a muscle behind the tendon, but admits he continues to battle the issue since returning.
“It’s good enough to play, but it’s quite frustrating,” McMahon said this week.
“As captain you want to be out with the playing group as much as you can, but right now I’m not really training and just trying to get right for game days.”
The Eagles skipper said he would definitely lead his side out on to GMHBA Stadium this afternoon in the GFL’s first senior twilight final but confessed his achilles tendon “hasn’t been good”.
“It’s pretty much a six-day recovery after I’m on it for it to even feel like it’s right to run on,” McMahon said.
“It’s frustrating at the moment, I guess that comes with a bit of age.”
Today’s final against the reigning premier will be the first time Newtown has made the finals since its 2015 grand final loss to St Joseph’s, and McMahon believes his side is ready to mount another premiership charge.
“Losing any grand final remains in your memory bank, and it’s the one thing that drives your football, that’s for sure,” he said.
“Personally, it’s nothing I’ll be thinking about prior to the game. Being at the back end of my career, I understand these opportunities don’t come around very often and it’s something you’ve got to make the most of. You have a bit of a different perspective as you get older.
“I feel like what we’ve built for this year hasn’t been for this year alone, it’s been building a culture in the group and it really does feel like a successful one.”
Newtown & Chilwell has six additions to its squad with the side to be finalised this morning. Paul Hinkley, Jy Lane, Darcy Troop, Sam Nichols and Mick Condy have all been named, however, ruckman David Fanning will again miss.
McMahon believes his side went into its shell in its only meeting with St Joseph’s this season, a 21-point defeat in Round 12.
He said the Eagles would look to use their pace this time around on the wide expanses of GMHBA Stadium.
“It’s a key to our brand,” he said. “We can exploit some sides with our pace. I’m not sure Joeys are one of those sides, but it’s something to be positive about.”