Past #15: Paul Ahern - delisted after 24 NM games/6 NM goals - thanks Pauly

[DarkPhoenix]

The thing that stood out for me from the interview is that he's really happy at Arden St and is really confident in our Rehab practices.

 

[DarkPhoenix]

Had heard from a few circles that he wasn't comfortable running when he made his return to training from his first ACL.

Was pushed to do so by the GWS medical staff, because they wanted him in full pre-season training post Christmas 2016 and ended up re-injuring the knee.

He originally done the injury in late February 2016. And re-done it again during agility drills in early November. 7 months into re-hab and already doing twisting and turning despite Paul wanting to slow down his recovery. His 2nd knee injury could have been avoided if he was managed better imo. No one knows your body better than yourself.

I'm happy the club is taking a no risk approach with him, the more hamstring/glute/quad work he gets in at a steady light loading the more support and structure he will have around the knee.

He is going to be a gem when he gets his confidence up and about. Perfect modern day footballer

ONE STEP AT A TIME
http://www.nmfc.com.au/news/2017-05-19/one-step-at-a-time
Eight months into his rehab from a second torn ACL, Paul Ahern is ticking off the milestones, one by one.

It’s been a methodical, slower approach this time for the former Giant - one that he believes is paying dividends.

“I’ve made the eight month mark and it’s feeling much better now compared to the first one,” Ahern told NMFC.com.au.

“Definitely comparing seven months to the last seven months there’s a noticeable change.

“I’m feeling a lot stronger in the gym and running wise it’s feeling pretty strong.”

The first major milestone was straight line running, which Ahern ticked off at the 14-week mark.

“Then I had to tick off getting the muscle bulk back around my quads and comparing that to my right leg,” Ahern continued.

“Then also getting my hamstring strength back because that was a bit lower on my right side from my first hamstring graft, so I had to make sure that was where it needed to be.

“It’s a lot of squat work, leg press in the gym, and all that type of work helps the bulk come back a bit quicker.”

It took time for Ahern to progress from straight line running to the next step in his rehab.

“Once I got the all clear to start running I started doing a few Alter-G (anti-gravity treadmill) sessions, ticked a couple of them off and started to progress on-ground with straight line running for probably about two or three months until I really started to do a bit of change of direction stuff.

“I started doing change of direction about five months in but that was at walking pace, whereas when I started to do the running (change of direction) that was probably about the six month mark.”

Building confidence in his knee has Ahern optimistic he can take a major stride in the near future.

At this stage he’s hoping to join in with the main group for core skills in six to eight weeks, which he’ll then – all things going to plan – continue for the rest of the season.

When compared to his first torn ACL, the slower rehab pace this time has given Ahern peace of mind.

“I’ll make sure I can finish off this season having ticked off everything so I’m ready to go for the first day of pre-season,” he added.

“It’s good knowing that I don’t need to rush back for a game this year, so if I have little setbacks here and there I don’t have to stress about trying to get back quickly which is probably a good thing, being a bit more cautious.

“It gives me a bit more time to work on stuff that I need to do in the gym and also skill-wise on the track.”

The 20-year-old is set to return to football in 2018.

 

[stevo75]

Any info/updates on how this lad is tracking?

 

[Heaps of fun]

Any info/updates on how this lad is tracking?

Kneeds time.

 

[Unity-28]

Any info/updates on how this lad is tracking?

hes tracking well. wont play at all this year, but training as much as expected.

i can see after a full season getting strength into the knee, and a full pre season, PA will hit the ground running, with the hope of full confodence in the knee by mid next year.

 

[boneofshin]

Any info/updates on how this lad is tracking?

Ahernjogging.mpg

 

[RobZombie]

Any info/updates on how this lad is tracking?

Last time Nate7 and I were at training, he was doing some kick to kick with a couple of other injured players during the warmup. Not involved in any competitive drills or game sim. Looking happier than when he was just jogging in straight lines.

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

Hope he has retained some of his agility.

 

[naturally north]

is ticking all the boxes and the knee id fine we expect him to add to our midfield next year, very high hopes and we firmly believe we have a beauty. Great decision maker, great user of the ball and doesn't fumble or lose his feet.

Will be a real novelty having a guy like that in our side.

 

[Elite Master]

What draft pick was Ahern originally taken at?

 

[stevo75]

What draft pick was Ahern originally taken at?

7

 

[SpiderBurton22]

is ticking all the boxes and the knee id fine we expect him to add to our midfield next year, very high hopes and we firmly believe we have a beauty. Great decision maker, great user of the ball and doesn't fumble or lose his feet.

Will be a real novelty having a guy like that in our side.

That sounds promising however I wouldn't be having too high expectations on him next year. He'll need to spend a fair chunk of the year in the VFL.

 

[COOL-A-ROO]

Excited to have this guy in the wings. His time will come.

 

[naturally north]

That sounds promising however I wouldn't be having too high expectations on him next year. He'll need to spend a fair chunk of the year in the VFL.

Am sure he will be managed and yes the VFL will be where he starts. He won't have played much footy for I assume near two years.

 

[Rooboys Rool]

What draft pick was Ahern originally taken at?

2014 draft pick 7

 

[Orange Peanut]

is ticking all the boxes and the knee id fine we expect him to add to our midfield next year, very high hopes and we firmly believe we have a beauty. Great decision maker, great user of the ball and doesn't fumble or lose his feet.

Will be a real novelty having a guy like that in our side.

I'm sure we can knock that shit out of him by the end of the year

 

[Jindrrk]

1 Paddy McCartin St Kilda Geelong Falcons TAC Cup
2 Christian Petracca Melbourne Eastern Ranges TAC Cup
3 Angus Brayshaw Melbourne Sandringham Dragons TAC Cup Free agency compensation pick (Frawley)
4 Jarrod Pickett Greater Western Sydney South Fremantle WAFL
5 Jordan De Goey Collingwood Oakleigh Chargers TAC Cup Traded from Brisbane Lions
6 Caleb Marchbank Greater Western Sydney Murray Bushrangers TAC Cup Traded from Western Bulldogs
7 Paul Ahern Greater Western Sydney Calder Cannons TAC Cup Traded from Carlton
8 Peter Wright Gold Coast Calder Cannons TAC Cup
9 Darcy Moore Collingwood Oakleigh Chargers TAC Cup Father–son rule selection – son of Peter Moore
10 Nakia Cockatoo Geelong NT Thunder NEAFL Traded from Adelaide

Just to give you an idea of who else was in that 10. Few injuries in that 10 atm.

 

[Harvey Manfrenjensenden]

1 Paddy McCartin St Kilda Geelong Falcons TAC Cup
2 Christian Petracca Melbourne Eastern Ranges TAC Cup
3 Angus Brayshaw Melbourne Sandringham Dragons TAC Cup Free agency compensation pick (Frawley)
4 Jarrod Pickett Greater Western Sydney South Fremantle WAFL
5 Jordan De Goey Collingwood Oakleigh Chargers TAC Cup Traded from Brisbane Lions
6 Caleb Marchbank Greater Western Sydney Murray Bushrangers TAC Cup Traded from Western Bulldogs
7 Paul Ahern Greater Western Sydney Calder Cannons TAC Cup Traded from Carlton
8 Peter Wright Gold Coast Calder Cannons TAC Cup
9 Darcy Moore Collingwood Oakleigh Chargers TAC Cup Father–son rule selection – son of Peter Moore
10 Nakia Cockatoo Geelong NT Thunder NEAFL Traded from Adelaide

Just to give you an idea of who else was in that 10. Few injuries in that 10 atm.

Interesting draft to look back on.
Touk Miller has played the most games.
Harris Andrews was taken at pick 61
Jake Lever slipped to 14 due to injury

 

[Jindrrk]

Interesting draft to look back on.
Touk Miller has played the most games.
Harris Andrews was taken at pick 61
Jake Lever slipped to 14 due to injury

And Demons #3 pick which shouldnt of been a 3 (compensation related I mean) cant get on the park. Feel for the guy though.

 

[Ahern2Boof]

1 Paddy McCartin St Kilda Geelong Falcons TAC Cup
2 Christian Petracca Melbourne Eastern Ranges TAC Cup
3 Angus Brayshaw Melbourne Sandringham Dragons TAC Cup Free agency compensation pick (Frawley)
4 Jarrod Pickett Greater Western Sydney South Fremantle WAFL
5 Jordan De Goey Collingwood Oakleigh Chargers TAC Cup Traded from Brisbane Lions
6 Caleb Marchbank Greater Western Sydney Murray Bushrangers TAC Cup Traded from Western Bulldogs
7 Paul Ahern Greater Western Sydney Calder Cannons TAC Cup Traded from Carlton
8 Peter Wright Gold Coast Calder Cannons TAC Cup
9 Darcy Moore Collingwood Oakleigh Chargers TAC Cup Father–son rule selection – son of Peter Moore
10 Nakia Cockatoo Geelong NT Thunder NEAFL Traded from Adelaide

Just to give you an idea of who else was in that 10. Few injuries in that 10 atm.

That's a shocking top ten.

 

[shimaburnsgrieg]

That's a shocking top ten.

Shocking is an understatement - 5 busts in the top 10.

 

[Groin guru]

I'm glad he is tracking along nicely. I think he'll win a brownlow during his career. GWS made a big mistake and they know it!

 

[numchuks]

I'm glad he is tracking along nicely. I think he'll win a brownlow during his career. GWS made a big mistake and they know it!

Geeze, don't go too early mate.

 

[koshari]

2016 a lot of quality right down to pepper-powell.

 

[stevo75]

I'm glad he is tracking along nicely. I think he'll win a brownlow during his career. GWS made a big mistake and they know it!

One brownlow is that it?

Personally think he'll dominate the game for years to come and win minimum 3 brownlows and be future legend hall of famer imo.