North flag star Sheerin reveals Neale inspiration
Shayne Hope |
North Melbourne premiership star Eilish Sheerin has revealed a rehabilitation technique borrowed from Lachie Neale as the secret behind her stunning AFLW grand final display.
Sheerin was named best-afield in North Melbourne’s 9.3 (56) to 2.4 (16) thrashing of Brisbane on Saturday night, tallying 28 disposals, nine clearances and two goals.
But a hamstring injury suffered during the warm-up before a round-eight fixture had previously threatened her place in the finals.
The 33-year-old turned to hyperbaric oxygen chambers, noting Lions star Neale had used them as part of his remarkable three-week recovery from a torn calf to play in September’s AFL grand final.
“I literally came straight from one to the game,” a laughing Sheerin said, with a premiership medal hanging around her neck.
“At my age, I look for any one per cent that I can get.
“I know Lachie Neale did it for his injury; red light therapy and hyperbaric oxygen chambers.
“I jumped on board and it has been great.”
Sheerin was confident she would recover in time to play finals, with North’s medical staff using teammate Emma Kearney’s similar setback last year as the blueprint for her program.
“There was always a timeline that said I could get back for finals,” Sheerin said.
“I’m very lucky to be in a team where that’s a possibility, and there isn’t pressure on me to get back early.
“I just know that I can come in and play my role and that takes the pressure off that whole rehab journey.”
Sheerin was brilliant early in the grand final, kicking two goals from 15 disposals in the first half when North seized control of the contest.
The utility had played across half-back and on the wing in her first season with the Kangaroos, but was thrown into the midfield to add strength around the contest in the finals.
“It felt good. It’s still hard and testament to the players around me – they make it a lot easier,” Sheerin said.
“I still get told a lot where to go on the field.
“This was only my third or fourth game for North Melbourne as a midfielder, so I rely heavily on the knowledge and experience of really great players around me.”
Sheerin’s premiership medal has more than justified her move to North Melbourne from Richmond this season, but was just part of her reward for making the switch.
She said simply being part of the Kangaroos’ program had also made her a better person.
“That’s the real medal,” Sheerin said.
“It’s just an incredible program to be part of.”
AAP
