After two-injury ravaged seasons, Nathan Bock says he is ready to emerge from the wilderness and recapture the form that saw him win All Australian selection in 2008.
It has been two of the toughest years of Bock’s football life, but the SUNS vice-captain appears ready to turn the page and begin getting back to doing what he misses most – playing AFL football.
He completed his first full game in the NEAFL on Saturday, suggesting a senior berth is within reach for the 31-year-old veteran.
Since having the titanium rod removed from his leg in August, Bock’s spirits have remained high, with the hardened swingman getting his biggest comeback boost when he ran pain-free for the first time in Arizona.
Despite having all the lows of extensive rehabilitation, Bock said he never once entertained the thought of calling it quits.
“I know it’s been a long time but I really had it in my mind that I wanted to get back playing senior footy,” Bock told The Gold Coast Bulletin.
“I did that last year and then having the rod removed and having the confidence from the medical staff saying it will be so much better gave me the confidence to continue on this year.
“I love playing footy and I feel like I still have a fair bit of footy left in me and retirement definitely didn’t enter the scheme of things.”
Better yet, the limp that was evident in his two AFL appearances in round 19 and 20 last year is far less evident.
“Obviously I don’t see myself run but from what everyone is saying is that limp is not there anymore,” he said.
“That was a huge part of having that rod removed which was causing me a lot of discomfort and pain.
“There’s a lot less pain now and I feel like I’m covering the ground quite well and moving a lot better.
“It’s just a matter of match fitness now and I’m slowly getting there.”
While no timeframe has been put on his return, Bock is confident a return to senior football is on the horizon.
“The most important thing for me now is backing it up week after week and if I can do that for two or three weeks, I think it’s a sign I’m pretty close,” he said.
“As long as the body keeps cooperating and gives me the chance, then I’m happy to keep pushing on.
“The career of a footballer is very short and I want to play for as long as I can.”
