DASHER Rohan Bail says he was “always optimistic” he could return to play before season’s end.
Bail, who missed 12 matches from rounds nine to 20 with a knee injury, played in Melbourne’s final game of the season against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval last Sunday.
He notched up 18 disposals and produced some exciting bursts in his comeback match.
But he said it wasn’t an easy road coming back. He also played two matches for Casey - one in the reserves and another in the seniors - before returning for his 18th AFL match.
“Coming back through Casey and hopefully playing a few games [was my plan] and then when Toddy [Viney] said I was playing [against Port Adelaide], I was very happy,” he said.
“It was really good to be back. It was good to play at Adelaide Oval in front of a big crowd, but unfortunately we didn’t get the win we wanted.
“It felt good to finally get a taste before the end of the season.”
Initially, Bail dealt with his injury, but he conceded that it became frustrating when complications kicked in.
“It was OK. I had to deal with the injury, but after six weeks I had a set-back and was back to square one, which was very frustrating,” he said.
“It took a lot of time to heal and it hasn’t fully, but it has been frustrating watching on and wanting to help out the boys.
“It’s good to be able to play in the Casey finals and then the knee will enjoy a rest in the off-season.”
Bail said he felt mixed emotions watching on throughout the season.
“There were some really good games like the Essendon one on Friday night mid-year,” he said.
“It was great to watch and you wish you were out there.
“But then there was the Geelong game and you wish you were out there for other reasons, so it’s been different and there have been lots of ups and downs watching on.
“It’s hard when you’re not playing.”
Bail played the opening six rounds and made an impact for the Demons, before his run was halted.
“That’s the disappointing thing,” he said.
“I was playing a role for the team and trying to do that on a week-to-week basis.
“But then I got the injury and it was a frustrating situation.”
Bail, who missed 12 matches from rounds nine to 20 with a knee injury, played in Melbourne’s final game of the season against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval last Sunday.
He notched up 18 disposals and produced some exciting bursts in his comeback match.
But he said it wasn’t an easy road coming back. He also played two matches for Casey - one in the reserves and another in the seniors - before returning for his 18th AFL match.
“Coming back through Casey and hopefully playing a few games [was my plan] and then when Toddy [Viney] said I was playing [against Port Adelaide], I was very happy,” he said.
“It was really good to be back. It was good to play at Adelaide Oval in front of a big crowd, but unfortunately we didn’t get the win we wanted.
“It felt good to finally get a taste before the end of the season.”
Initially, Bail dealt with his injury, but he conceded that it became frustrating when complications kicked in.
“It was OK. I had to deal with the injury, but after six weeks I had a set-back and was back to square one, which was very frustrating,” he said.
“It took a lot of time to heal and it hasn’t fully, but it has been frustrating watching on and wanting to help out the boys.
“It’s good to be able to play in the Casey finals and then the knee will enjoy a rest in the off-season.”
Bail said he felt mixed emotions watching on throughout the season.
“There were some really good games like the Essendon one on Friday night mid-year,” he said.
“It was great to watch and you wish you were out there.
“But then there was the Geelong game and you wish you were out there for other reasons, so it’s been different and there have been lots of ups and downs watching on.
“It’s hard when you’re not playing.”
Bail played the opening six rounds and made an impact for the Demons, before his run was halted.
“That’s the disappointing thing,” he said.
“I was playing a role for the team and trying to do that on a week-to-week basis.
“But then I got the injury and it was a frustrating situation.”
