Green returns from footy retirement in style
DANIEL Green has kicked the Surfers Paradise Demons QAFL side to a 27-point win over Wilston Grange nearly a year after medical concerns forced him to retire from footy.
Doctors found a growth on Green’s liver after the end of the 2017 QAFL season and he was told it would be too dangerous to continue playing.
“I had a ultrasound done and they thought they found a blood blister on my liver,” the 31-year-old said following the Demons 17.17 (119) to 14.8 (92) win over Wilston Grange.
“(Doctors) said if I had a good whack on it then it could have popped and caused some internal bleeding.”
Green played for the Demons as a junior and over 100 games for the seniors before the 178cm and 98kg forward, who was the leading goal kicker in the 2016 QAFL season with 84 majors, had to hang up the boots.
“I was coming to terms with (retiring),” Green said.
“You miss it the most when you go down to watch because you know you could be out there giving them a hand. I’d watch most games too.”
But to Green’s delight his retirement has been shortlived.
A scan at the end of May revealed the growth was benign and after making his return through the club’s reserves last week, where he kicked four goals, Green stepped up to the seniors and slotted seven.
“It was good for the boys to get a decent win under their belt,” Green said.
Surfers Paradise trailed by two-points at halftime on Saturday but found a way to win despite losing four players to injury by the end of the third quarter.
Meanwhile, the Broadbeach Cats have moved within one win of QAFL leaders Palm Beach Currumbin following a 26.24 (180) to 5.2 (32) win over Sandgate.
Labrador lost to the Magpies, 10.8 (68) to 12.12 (84).