Coughlan longing to slot back into Tigers' set-up
Karen Lyon | December 16, 2007 | The Age
MARK Coughlan wants to play every game of football he can next year. He wants to play practice matches and pre-season games and he wants to start training with his teammates.
He wants to be there for the opening round of the 2008 season and he doesn't want to miss out on a single round of football.
It's no wonder, after two knee reconstructions and 18 months on the sidelines that Coughlan can't wait to be back. The Richmond midfielder is trying not to be too impatient. The the first knee reconstruction has taught him much about the process.
"I haven't been itching at the bit for too long because I would probably just wear myself out. In two or three months' time — that is when I will get the butterflies in my stomach," Coughlan said.
"I am really looking forward to the first game, whatever that is. Whether it's a practice match with the boys or a pre-season game, I'm just really looking forward to the first full game and even the first training session will be good."
The Tiger's enforced break started in round 12 of 2006 when he snapped his anterior cruciate ligament against Hawthorn. He was forced to sit out this year after the initial graft wore almost completely through and he was forced to undergo a second operation last February.
It is with a wry sense of humour that Coughlan suggests he has had a "good break" from the game. After "dragging" his feet for a couple of months, he decided to look for different ways to motivate himself and teammates.
Coughlan ventured into business, testing out his degree and spent time travelling through Asia and the US. He also turned his mind to guiding younger teammates.
Much of his time has been spent in the pool or the gym strengthening his legs. He has been running for the past four months and wants to build his fitness levels. With the game changing in his absence, Coughlan has looked to where he could make improvements.
"I think the game has virtually changed in the time that I have been playing and particularly in the last two years," he said. "It's getting quicker, and bodies aren't as big. You really do need that running capacity to get around the ground and it's not just in the midfield, it's all over the ground.
"I have tried to lose a little bit of weight and get myself ready for that side of things."
Much of Coughlan's determination to get back to the game centres around his teammates. He credits them with keeping him motivated during his hiatus and says the chance to be part of Richmond's emerging midfield excites him.
In 2007, the Tigers were without most of their midfield leaders, as Coughlan was joined in the stands by Nathan Brown — still feeling the effects of his broken leg — and ruckman Troy Simmonds, who was diagnosed with a blood clot on the lung.
Coughlan said the lack of senior players created unfair pressure on young stars.
"I can't wait to get out there and really help some guys who really took a lot of heat last year in the midfield, guys like Brett Deledio and Nathan Foley and those sort of guys — and Trent Crotchin, it won't take him long to get in there, as well."
After two knee reconstructions in two seasons it would only be normal to have doubts about his future, but the one-time Tigers best and fairest has come full circle from the early days after his second operation when he thought his career might be over.
"This time, I just have confidence in this knee. Having the last one and (doubting) how that felt, even in day-to-day activities I just felt this one was strong and that I would be able to get back."
http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/coughlan-wants-into-tigers-setup/2007/12/15/1197568333136.html
