Crows midfielder Bernie Vince has returned to training after minor shoulder surgery.
Vince, 27, has spent the past fortnight on the sidelines recovering from surgery to remove a cyst.
The 2009 Club Champion tossed aside his sling last week and says he’s hopeful of re-joining the main group prior to the Christmas break, which starts on Friday, December 21.
“I had a little cyst on my scapula. It was 57mm long and it was pushing on a nerve. I couldn’t really do any weights without pain, so I decided to get it out,” Vince told afc.com.au.
“It’s only put a little dent in my pre-season. I started running last Friday and it’ll be a day-by-day thing from here on in. I might be back with the main group as early as this week.
“I won’t be doing any contact work for another week or two, but I’m looking forward to getting back out there. It’s not good when you’re inside pumping away on a stationary bike, watching the guys outside training. I want to get a footy in my hand.”
During his rehabilitation, Vince maintained fitness in the gym.
“I’ll look like a bike rider soon because leg weights are all I’ve been able to do,” he said.
“I’ve been training on the stationary bike and also on the elliptical machine.
“I’ll start on upper-body weights this week, but I’ll have to start light because as you can probably see I’ve lost a bit of size. I’m looking forward to getting back into it.”
As well as being confined to a bike for two weeks, Vince’s shoulder injury also meant he missed out on an opportunity of a lifetime to face Australian fast bowler Brett Lee during the second Test between the Aussies and South Africa at Adelaide Oval.
An avid cricket fan, who was actually playing cricket on the day he was drafted by the Crows, Vince was replaced in the nets by housemate and occasional big-hitter Taylor Walker. Walker got two shots away off Lee, while teammate Tom Lynch – a talented junior cricketer – was bowled first ball.
“It hurt me a bit to miss out, but Brett Lee was actually bowling pretty sharp … and it was funny to see ‘Tex’ (Walker) bat too,” Vince said with a laugh.
“It was good to get down there and meet all the Aussie team as well. ‘Lynchy’ is probably the best cricketer at the Club even though it didn’t really look like it. In the warm-up, Tex didn’t actually hit a ball but he hit every one when the cameras were on – I guess that’s when you’ve got to hit them! Lynchy has the better technique by far.”
Patrick Dangerfield was also on hand to help ‘commentate’ the nets session.
“Danger didn’t bat because he’s hopeless at cricket,” Vince said of Dangerfield’s involvement.
“Danger thinks he’s good at most things, but he’s not too good with the bat in hand. I’ve seen him play a bit of beach cricket and he’s hopeless. He’s far better with a footy in his hand.”
