Hooker battles back to fitness
MOST footballers dread the start of preseason. For Josh Chudleigh, it’s like Christmas has come early.
The Cowboys hooker is on the road towards playing what would be his first game in 18 months after his 2017 was ruined by a pre- season anterior cruciate ligament injury.
The 23- year- old looked ready to take the next step after being named Queensland Cup player of the year in 2016, but was forced to watch North Queensland’s charge to the grand final from the sidelines.
Chudleigh is unsure if he will be available for selection for round one, and looks set to battle with Ben Hampton and Te Maire Martin for the bench utility role as he looks to build on his one NRL game against Canberra in late 2016.
He is seven months into his rehabilitation, which has been delayed by being forced to go under the knife again.
“It was pretty disappointing but that’s football. It was my first major injury, I have to trust the process they’re putting me through,” Chudleigh said.
“I had my first surgery and it didn’t work to its full potential. It wasn’t worth the risk of going through the ninemonth process and it being 30 per cent strength, I was better off getting it done ( again).
“The first couple pretty disappointed changed around. of months I was but now it’s all
“I woke up pretty happy this morning ready to train. I honestly couldn’t tell you right now ( whether I’ll be fit for round one). They’ll probably make a call in January or February where I’m at.”
Chudleigh said a chance meeting with a stranger after receiving bad news on a scan gave him much- needed perspective early in his recovery process.
“I was getting a scan a second time on my knee and it wasn’t that good and I was pretty down and disappointed,” he said.
“A guy was there waiting to get a second brain cancer scan.
“There’s more to life than football I learnt. It made me look a lot more positively at my injury.
“I’m doing all the change of direction stuff, not doing full skills yet, but in another month I’ll be getting fully involved in training.”