Mark Coughlan takes steps towards Richmond return
Chris Mitchell | July 07, 2008
INJURY-plagued midfielder Mark Coughlan hopes to string enough VFL games together to force his way into the Richmond side before the end of the season.
Coughlan finally returned to football yesterday for the Coburg reserves, playing the first three quarters in the Tigers' eight-point win against Box Hill at Box Hill City Oval.
While he struggled to have a significant impact, the 26-year-old played in the midfield, kicked a goal and had 19 possessions in a sign he has recovered from a serious hamstring injury.
The 2003 Richmond best-and-fairest winner tore his left hamstring at training in May and travelled to Munich, Germany, for intensive treatment, enduring 102 injections over 12 days in a visit to the clinic of Dr Hans-Wilhelm Mueller-Wohlfarth.
A victim of two right knee reconstructions, Coughlan has not played at AFL level since Round 12, 2006, and is itching to break back into the Richmond side.
"It would be nice. The boys are playing pretty well, particularly in midfield," Coughlan said.
"I've got to prove myself at VFL level and it is then up to the coaching staff at Richmond."
Coughlan, who has played 83 games for Richmond since making his debut in 2001, said he had grown tired of training and was happy to get through the game unscathed.
"It was good to just get out there," he said. "I was a bit more confident about coming back this time around.
"I've only really played a half (of footy) this year. I wasn't really nervous.
"I felt pretty good in the body. I felt like I would get through all right and I have, so I'm pretty happy."
Coburg senior coach Jade Rawlings, who is also on the Richmond match committee, said Coughlan must prove he is fully fit before being considered for an AFL return.
"He just has to be able to prove he can play a full match," Rawlings said.
"He will play when it's deemed he's fit enough and there's a spot available.
"It's in his control somewhat. It was his first step back on the road to recovery."
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,23979175-19895,00.html