GILMORE’S FIGHTING RETURN TO FOOTY
PATIENCE is something Ryan Gilmore has been practising so it came as a nice surprise when the athletic forward was called up to make his VFL debut for Southport.
Gilmore’s return to football in the Sharks’ 11-point win over Aspley last week was hard-fought.
The 20-year-old suffered a fractured skull while playing for Broadbeach in the QAFL grand final in September last year and was whisked away to hospital during the game.
The Suns Academy graduate suffered a heavy concussion and battled headaches and a lack of energy into early January.
But with the guidance of Suns Academy manager Andrew Raines and coach Peter Hill, along with Southport high-performance manager Matt Palmer, Gilmore has bounced back to full strength and added to his craft.
“It’s been a slow one, coming back to footy,” Gilmore said.
“It anything it has taught me to be patient and listen to my body.
“The guys have guided me really well and done an excellent job getting me to where I am now.
“It was a tricky one with the energy levels and trying to balance work and the side-effects but I’m proud to be where I am now.
“It’s all behind me now and there is no concern at all.”
Gilmore said he had hoped to build on his 2020 form and take the next step in the QAFL to put his hand up for selection in the Sharks VFL team but was elevated to the Southport side after just two games for Broadbeach.
He kicked a goal on debut and will be part of the squad for the clash with Greater Western Sydney at Blacktown on Sunday.
“It’s been great at the Sharks. The coaching staff are great and the boys really buy in and make it a welcoming environment,” Gilmore said.
“The debut came a bit more sudden than I thought but an opportunity presented and I grabbed it.”
Gilmore said the coaches had backed him in to play to his strengths, leading to the ball as a high half-forward before supplying the footy to the likes of Billy Gowers, Connor Nutting and Brayden Crossley.
“The coaches gave me a lot of confidence to do the role I’m good at and they backed me in,” he said.