FOURTEEN years ago this week, Sam Rowe faced his mortality at the very moment his lifelong dreams were beginning to materialise.

At 24, the boy from Walla Walla - whose name was called by Carlton in the 2011 AFL National Draft - was a “second chance” story which resonated with supporters.

Rowe’s path to the big time had been anything but linear. First given a chance at the elite level when he was rookied to Sydney in 2006 and ’07, his evolution from a teenager fresh out of school to a professional athlete in the rigorous SCG environment proved somewhat demanding. By Rowe’s own admission, he wasn’t ready for the mental and physical demands of the league at 18, and he and the Swans parted ways.

Refusing to let his career end there, Rowe relocated to South Australia in 2008 to hunt the pigskin for Norwood. As a Redleg, Rowe truly came into his own, developing into a solidly built, reliable key forward and eventually catching the eye of talent scouts again.

When the Blues called Rowe’s name at selection No.44 of the 2011 AFL National Draft, they knew what they were getting. Here was a player older, wiser and physically capable of contributing to their future successes.

Alas, the Rowe comeback was cruelly halted in 2012 - Friday 13 April to be exact - by way of a devastating medical diagnosis, stage one testicular cancer. The news sent shockwaves through the Club and the wider football community, and suddenly forced Rowe’s seismic shift from marks and goals to health and survival.

Rowe underwent surgery to remove the tumour and subsequently underwent a rigorous course of chemotherapy. The treatment was expected to last between six and nine weeks, a period bound to test his physical resolve far more than any pre-season training session ever could.

Despite the gravity of the situation, Rowe displayed a remarkable stoicism. Even in the face of chemotherapy, Rowe remained focused on his return to the sport, telling the Club he fully intended to be available for the 2013 pre-season.

The Carlton Football Club rallied behind Rowe, requesting privacy whilst providing a platform for fans to send messages of support. Through it all, Rowe dealt with the inevitable side effects of cancer treatment whilst keeping the mindset of an elite athlete determined to reclaim his place on the football field.

Rowe’s successful battle with cancer and his eventual return to senior football became a source of inspiration. He didn’t just return to play: he became a mainstay of the Carlton defence for years, in earning 99 senior call-ups before the end came in 2018. In that time, his ability to transition from a forward to a dependable key defender showcased an adaptability that mirrored his journey through life’s hardships.

Beyond his playing days, Rowe’s legacy is intertwined with his role as a survivor. His career serves as a reminder that the rigours of League football are often mirrored by the rigours of real-world adversity. By speaking openly about his diagnosis and the reality of his treatment ever since, he has helped raise awareness for men’s health within the sporting world.

In the years beyond his retirement, Rowe, now the proud father of three boys, is remembered not only for his “big man” presence on the field, but also for the character he displayed off it.

The following is Sam Rowe’s recollections of that moment in time; his advice to those who may now be facing similar challenges, and, on the eve of the longest-running charity match, his call for on-going funding to aid the cause of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation and life-saving cancer research.

Sam's story

I went to the Peter Mac Breakfast on Monday, on what was the 14th anniversary of my diagnosis. In the years since, my health has been perfect. I have a clean bill other than a few grey hairs.

How well I remember Friday the 13th 2012. It was a sliding doors moment and I’m so thankful I was with the Blues at that time.

By then I’d already felt a lump, had told the Club, and had undergone an ultra sound at a local radiologist. At two o’clock that Friday afternoon I met with the then club doctor Ben Barresi who said he knew someone at Cabrini Hospital in Malvern who could assist after hours.

The Club and the hospital moved quickly, and I was lucky that they did. My testicular cancer was stage one and while it hadn’t spread, it was fast-growing. At the time I was battling away as a carpenter, my wife was my then partner and I’d not yet played my first Carlton game - knowing the person I was then, I would have honestly delayed any treatment.

As a result of the diagnosis, surgery and subsequent treatment, I missed the 2012 season. It took me the year to get to the point when I could again push my body. I actually wanted to play the last six weeks of that season because I was in remission, but I had to get through chemo first. In the end I attacked the pre-season and broke into the ones in Round 2, 2013.

My wife (Natarsha) was my then partner at the time we’d moved across from Adelaide. She was such a great support - as was my family - through the treatment. I felt pretty good during this time, but the hardest thing was seeing family members tormented by what I was going through. Everyone wanted to help but couldn’t.

Personally, you go through wild fluctuations – the initial shock . . . denial . . . not wanting to tell anyone . . . then everyone wants to reach out. I’m a naturally positive person, but the goal for me was to keep positive. That was my focus.

Some people prefer to take on the illness themselves, but if I could offer any advice to someone in a similar situation it’d be to lean on close friends and family - to basically go through it with someone. I think that helped my mental state.

Regarding testicular cancer, it’s also important to know that it’s a young man’s disease. I was in my 20s at the time and thought I was invincible, so it’s vital that young blokes understand the implications.

I was invited to the Peter Mac Cup luncheon by Sam Docherty. I caught up with a few former players, saw the current players of both Carlton and Collingwood, and got to hear some incredible speakers. In listening, you quickly come to understand that Peter Mac is a world leader in terms of cancer treatment – even though it is so reliant on funding.