Injury plagued Magpie Len Haddrill gets a shot at rep footy
Belconnen Magpies on-baller Lenny Haddrill says he has learnt to trust his body again as he prepares to make his AFL Canberra representative debut on Saturday.
Haddrill is 12 months into his comeback from a gruesome knee injury, which saw him tear both his anterior cruciate ligament and patella in 2016.
Haddrill will play for the the AFL Canberra representative team against Black Diamond AFL at Manuka Oval on Saturday after a string of strong performances for the Magpies, including a best on ground performance last week.
He has also taken on a co-captaincy role for Belconnen this year and said he never had any doubts about making his comeback.
"It took me a little while to get back into it but it feels really good to have a bit of trust in the body again to play football and not have to worry about it," Haddrill said.
"It's good to have another pre-season in me and play the footy I know I can.
I knew I would come back, I was hoping to come back a little bit sooner rather than later but I had a
few hiccups along the way but I finally got back."
Haddrill stepped into a football manager role for the Magpies when he was injury, but Belconnen coach James Bennett says the 26-year-old is thriving back on the field.
"We've missed his off-field support [in the role] but he's really starting to shine without stress of that and playing great footy every week. Fantastic guy and loves his footy more than anyone at the club," Bennett said.
"He's played limited footy in recent seasons but has really turned the corner and is one of the better players in comp."
"He’s an in and under midfielder, really clean hands around the contest and spreads well around the ground. Gives the guys first use and is a really important cog in the wheel to set up other players."
AFL CANBERRA
Saturday: AFL Canberra v Black Diamond AFL at Manuka Oval, 3pm.