THE most high-profile player in women’s football, Shannon McFerran, is boiling over with excitement about making her long-awaited comeback.
When reflecting on her well-documented recovery form a brain tumour 14 months ago, the VU-St Albans Spurs footballer said her path to a clean bill of health had been a “massive learning curve”.
“Being unable to do anything was a new experience. My balance was affected from surgery so learning to walk properly again without feeling like I would fall was interesting to say the least,” she said.
“I would walk the ward as often as I could to try and get better, the first few times I literally walked into the wall … but as we know the body and mind are amazing and my recovery improved each day. When I got home from hospital I could only walk to the next door neighbour’s house.
“It’s hard to believe that’s how bad I was, but I was persistent and before long I was on the treadmill walking and exercising. Surrounding yourself in good company made recovery easy.”
McFerran’s last game was the 2009 Victorian Women’s Football League Grand Final, in which the Spurs lost to Melbourne University.
Such was the heartache of losing that McFerran questioned whether she wanted to play football again.
”But those games are the ones you learn from. I don’t like to dwell on the past but games like that give me motivation to be a better contributor to the team,” she said.
Atoning for the loss has not been the main motivating force behind McFerran’s return to footy.
“Playing with my team-mates at the Spurs is my motivation to get back into it,” she said.
“I honestly can’t wait to run out there with my team-mates again.”
Taking to the field in round one will be a monumental challenge for McFerran. She has acknowledged the extra limitations on her body resulting from the tumour and subsequent treatment, but said her mind was as sharp as ever.
“It hasn’t been easy and I know I won’t ever be the same physically in some aspects of my game, but I will adapt and ensure I do everything to try and improve those aspects.”
Being a non-playing assistant coach last season helped McFerran keep her football brain active.
“The game is completely different from the sidelines, frustrating at times but also rewarding and it has made me very appreciative of the talent we have at the Spurs, not only players but also our volunteers.”
Females of all ages interested in playing Aussie Rules can call the Spurs Hotline on 0406 621 699 or attend training at Farnsworth Ave, behind VU’s Footscray Park Campus, on Mondays or Wednesdays at 6.30pm.
