Walters a "big chance" for 2014 return
Fremantle forward Michael Walters says he believes he is a "big chance" to return from a serious ankle injury this season.
Walters had surgery last month after injuring his left ankle in the Dockers’ round three loss to Hawthorn, with coach Ross Lyon revealing he would be unlikely to return in 2014 if surgery was required.
But the dangerous goalsneak has been listed as 11-13 weeks away and is hopeful of playing a role in the back end of the year.
“I'm trying to stay positive,” Walters said.
“I'm slowly getting there.
“I'm doing a bit of swimming and boxing.
“I'm out of the crutches now, which is real good.
“Hopefully I'm back by the end of the year.
“I kind of think it's a big chance.
“Hopefully it is a good chance.
“The physios and docs say I should be back.”
Walters, who is wearing a moon boot, was joined by teammate Michael Johnson for a National Sorry Day event in Wellington Square in East Perth today, ahead of the annual Indigenous AFL round this weekend.
“It's a very important day, not only for me, but for every other indigenous person in Australia,” he said.
Walters believed Fremantle had returned to their brand in their win over Geelong before the bye.
He was unsure if he would be thrown straight back into the fray if he is fit at the end of the season.
“Depends whether Ross wants to chuck me back in,” he said.
“Whether he does or not, it’s going to be hard.
“Footy’s so much faster at the moment.
“If you’re not strong you have got to be fast and if you not fast you have got to be strong so it’s going to be hard to get back in, especially fitness wise, and I’m willing to do everything I can to make myself better.”
