Fiorini’s season closes too fast

BRAYDEN Fiorini has reached the end of another season wishing he had more time.

Untimely injuries have cruelled the bulk of Fiorini’s season for a second time in his three-year career but the highly rated 20-year-old has managed to brush it off to put together a strong end to 2018.

Fiorini recorded a career equal-best 32 disposals in Saturday’s 10.18 (78) to 11.8 (74) QClash loss against Brisbane in front of 11,907 at Metricon Stadium and also slotted an unprecedented two goals.

The Victorian product, who played only two games in his debut year in 2016 due to a knee injury, has been among Gold Coast’s best in recent weeks despite missing 16 weeks with a lower leg injury.

Fiorini is starting to put together his best football but will have just one more opportunity to showcase it in Gold Coast’s last game of the season against Geelong this weekend.

“I wish there was another month to go,” Fiorini said.

“It’s just good to get back for the last few games and build some confidence going into the off-season and preseason.

“My goal next year is to play 22 consistent games.”

Fiorini revealed he had to have some of the bone in his

ankle removed after having stress problems in his foot.

“It was just like an ankle stress reaction,” Fiorini said.

“The bones were rubbing and they chipped a bit off the bone in the ankle. I tried to get off the legs for a few weeks and hoped that it would heal but it didn’t work so I had to go in for surgery and it pushed my rehab back a bit.”

Fiorini’s best two games of the season have been QClashes and the midfielder said he relished every chance to play the Lions.

“I love coming up against Brissy,” Fiorini said.

“The crowd gets into it and it’s never easy.”