WHEN James Strauss suffered a broken leg against Carlton at the MCG in round 20, 2011, it was an image that quickly promoted recoil.
Now almost 18 months have passed since that sickening injury and, although leg issues continued in the first half of Strauss’ 2012 season, he is determined to put the incident behind him.
“It’s always going to be in the back of my mind that that’s happened, but you can’t keep going back to it,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“I’d rather be known as James Strauss the footy player, rather than the bloke who broke his leg. I’d rather be a footballer than that broken leg guy.
“Last pre-season I was coming off my broken leg, so I didn’t do a whole lot of actual training until after Christmas. But this is the first full pre-season I’ve had since being drafted.”
In some respects, the rebounding defender’s career is similar to teammate Sam Blease, who also suffered a nasty leg break, although in his first season at the club in 2009.
Like Blease, it’s hard to believe that Strauss will be entering his fifth AFL listed season in 2013. Yet, both have had their share of injuries problems since they were drafted in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft: Blease at No. 17 and Strauss at No. 19.
Both have comparable match tallies, although Blease has the edge by three, with 21 to his name.
“It’s gone really quick. I’ve played 18 games in four years, and now I’m starting my fifth year after being hampered by injury,” Strauss said.
“But touch wood, it’s all behind me and I don’t want to keep looking back and thinking what’s gone wrong.
“I’ll keep talking to Misso (Dave Misson) and the fitness staff and make sure what I’m doing is the right way and I’ll be trying to stay fit. That’s all I want to do.”
Considering Strauss is well on his way to completing his first pre-season, it’s hardly surprising to see him with a smile on his face when he talks about getting through to Christmas unscathed for the first time in his career.
“Touch wood that I get through the pre-season, because it’ll be my first one. But it’s the first that I’ve completed up until Christmas,” he said.
“It’s been challenging, but it’s been good to be able to stay on the park, so I’ve loved every part of it.
“You see guys who have completed a full pre-season, and they end up having a good season, so that’s the same way I’m looking to go. Staying on the park is the biggest thing for me.”
Given injuries have interrupted his career so far – he also had ankle and shoulder problems before his broken leg – Strauss has kept his goals realistic this year.
Having played seven of the final eight rounds last year – he was an emergency against Fremantle in round 23 – Strauss has simply set his sights on stringing greater blocks of matches together in 2013.
“You build confidence from playing AFL matches, so I want to play 15 to 20 consecutive games – not seven and then get injured – and just keep backing up week to week,” he said.
“I want to make sure I’m doing what the team needs, and what the coaches are asking. It all depends on form, but hopefully I can keep ticking boxes and keep training well for the season ahead.
“I just want to make sure I get my body right, because I know if I get that right, everything will look after itself. And games aren’t that far away, so I can’t wait.”
