Brianna Davey, Collingwood’s captain, has detailed the “mental challenge” of her rehab from an ankle reconstruction, which has her racing the clock to play in the AFLW season opener next week.
Davey, who has been with the Pies since 2020, underwent surgery in the off-season but hopes to be ready for round one.
“I’m tracking okay,” Davey told AFL.com.au.
“I’m hoping to be able to compete in round one, but I’ve had an ankle injury and a few minor setbacks since last season. But, ideally, I’ll be out there for round one, and if not, early in the season somewhere.”
Davey is no stranger to injury and rehabilitation, having had two ACLs throughout her AFLW career. However, the star has found this one more difficult to manage.
“This one’s been a little bit challenging, just because there’s been ups and downs, and I probably could have been back a little bit earlier,” Davey told the crowd.
“I’ve done two knees, so I’ve been through the process, but you kind of know, and you have a timeline, so you know what’s ahead of you. This one has been like, ‘Oh, you’re back, oh no, now you’re not. So it’s been more of a mental challenge, I believe.”
Davey is focused on remaining fresh and injury-free during the midweek football time. Collingwood will have a four-day break during the first month of the season, facing Brisbane at Brighton Homes Arena in Queensland on Friday, September 13, before returning to Ikon Park to face West Coast the following Tuesday.
“It will be interesting to see how different teams handle it and we might see some interesting results in those three weeks,” Davey told ESPN.
“Clearly, the risk of injury is significant. I believe that in the AFLW, with such a short season, staying injury-free and fresh is crucial.”
Davey is particularly enthusiastic about the introduction of Score Assist to the AFLW this season, which uses smart ball technology to allow for score reviews for the first time in the women’s game.
“I believe it will add a new element to the game. Obviously, the umpires make excellent decisions, but I believe technology will only assist them make those decisions, particularly those that are close,” Davey said.
“I’m actually really pumped to see how that comes out. Obviously, there’s still the natural parts of the game where umpires will be making the call and the final decision won’t be on the ball tracker, but it will be interesting.”
Collingwood will begin the season against Sydney on Friday, August 30 at North Sydney Oval, and the club is prepared for the parochial Sydney fans.
“It may sound cliché, but I believe it makes no difference where you play. You bring a brand of football and a crack, you come with intent, and I believe the results will speak for themselves,” Davey added.
“Sydney, they put on a great show up there, and they always have a really solid crowd. I played there last year, and I thought it was probably one of the best set up games that I’ve seen.
“But I’m really excited. When you play, as soon as you start, that external noise usually blurs anyway, but I know we’ll get a pretty strong Magpie Army presence there.”
