Teen returns from broken back to grab spot in team

AFL: Some of the AFL’s bestst forwards can testify to Noahh Answerth’s determination.

The kind of grit that allowedd the Brisbane Lions rookie de-efender to treat a broken backk two years agomerely as a stumbling block on the way to an AFL career.

The 19-year-old was playing for the Oakleigh Chargers in the elite under-18 TAC Cup competition in Melbourne when he was crunched in a marking contest.

A player landed on Answerth’s back, leading to the fracture of his L1 vertebra, towards the end of the spine. It was only round two and Answerth wasn’t expected to play again that season – let alone be drafted at the end of the year.

He would be confined to a back brace for three months and had towait six weeks before he was allowed to swim or ride an exercise bike.

“I had really good support from family and friends,” he recalled ahead of the Lions’ twilight clash against the Bulldogs tomorrow at the Gabba.

“I was pretty driven to get back as soon as possible. I had a good plan set up to do that.”

Answerth had looked to Dallas Cowboys star Tony Romo for inspiration.

“He did the same injury,” the teenager recalled.

“I took a bit longer (to get back). They (the Chargers’ physios) were pretty cautious with my recovery (but) I think it’s paid dividends now.

“I haven’t got any back problems, which is good.”

Though he tread carefully, Answerth’s rehabilitation was quick enough for him to return to the field for the Chargers’ last game of 2017.

It wasn’t quite enough for AFL clubs to take a punt on him – just yet anyway.

“The Chargers were good enough to give me a spot as a 19-year-old, which they don’t often do,” he said.

Answerth would play every game in 2018. He wasn’t going to be overlooked in the draft this time.

The Lions, who had been interested the previous year,