REFRESHED after returning from overseas, joint captain Sam Docherty is excited to see first-hand what Carlton can produce in 2019.
Docherty returned to the familiar surrounds of Ikon Park on Monday, heading to the United States and Mexico for a “mental refresh” as he now sets his sights on the rehabilitation process.
And with the JLT Community Series returning tomorrow night, Docherty said he was looking forward to being back in the swing of things.
“I was lucky enough to get away for three weeks… it was refreshing to get away from the Club,” Docherty said.
“It’s not the easiest thing to go through, so for the mental refresh — the Club was brilliant in letting me get away.
“They did it last year and I was lucky enough to do it again this year. I’m back refreshed and ready to go, I’m looking forward to the JLT on Thursday.”
Docherty outlined his typical day as he ramps up his rehabilitation, with the star defender hopeful to return to running in a fortnight.
“My weeks are fairly stacked most of the time, I work most of my stuff around meetings, game-days and things like that,” he said.
“There’s a lot of cross-training, a lot of rehab weights, a lot of upper body weights and hopefully I’ll be running in two weeks. I’ve just got to tick that off with the surgeon, it’s the next milestone and one I’m looking forward to.”
Now well and truly back in the fold, Docherty said the excitement and optimism was palpable among the playing group on the eve of the new season.
Having gone overseas just prior to the pre-season camp in Mooloolaba, Docherty said he had noticed some growth from the collective.
“From speaking in meetings, I’ve noticed we’ve stepped up in terms of how we want to be as a football club and our overall identity,” he said.
Another step forward for Gov.
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) February 26, 2019
He's looking set to run out the entire game against the Bombers tomorrow. #BoundByBlue
“Having not been here for it, I’m seeing it from the perspective that I get to watch and see what’s changed. It’s exciting times at the Club: Round 1 is around the corner and there’s the optimism of a new season with a new group.”
Having not ruled out playing last year, Docherty said he remained in the same boat for this season: he said it would be a waiting game.
“There’s no more update. We have to feel our way through the rehab, it’s dependent on how my body goes with the load I have to go through,” he said.
“How my strength comes back, how my change of direction goes — there are a lot of hurdles I have to jump over before I can definitively say if I’ll play this year or not.
“At the moment, we’re striving to but I’ve got a long road ahead of me before I can give an answer on that one.”
