Crikey! (Kyle just rolled his eyes and called me a cliche)
Lion death fears
16 December 2007 Sunday Herald Sun
Damien Stannard
HE could have lost a leg or even his life - no wonder Justin Sherman considers himself lucky.
Lucky: Justin Sherman.
This year, Sherman's battle with the bacterial infection cellulitis robbed him of five AFL matches. The infection was a setback for his career - but he also could have paid for it with his life.
"Left untreated, it can be life-threatening," the Brisbane Lions midfielder said.
Sherman first noticed the infection days after playing a match for the reserves at Maroochydore.
Bacteria had entered his body through a blister on his foot and, as the burning rash advanced up his right leg, he knew something was wrong.
Only after being treated in hospital by an infectious diseases specialist did Sherman realise how fortunate he was.
"It got as high as my knee and I spent a week in hospital," the 20-year-old said.
"They say if it had got as high as my groin I could have lost a leg."
The Tasmanian said he was not offering illness as an excuse for what was a disappointing third season in the AFL. He also ignored the pain of a fractured toe.
Both setbacks will be used as lessons to ensure next season will be his best yet.
"The illness shocked me and I had to come to grips with it pretty quickly," Sherman said.
After finishing second to Simon Black in the 2006 club best-and-fairest award, he was expected to be a high achiever last season.
Instead, he played only 14 games and was dropped twice because of poor form.
Many observers thought representing Australia in the 2006 International Rules series sapped him of energy.
"Looking back, it probably did," Sherman said.
"I missed three weeks of the pre-season - that's nine running sessions - and that was vital."The Australian team was coached by Kevin Sheedy and it was also Michael Voss' final outing.
"You don't get to represent Australia every day," he said.
"I played with Vossy in his last game, which was pretty special."
Lions co-captain Jonathan Brown said much was expected of Sherman next season.
"We all hope 'Shermo' can improve on last year," Brown said. "He had a great first two years of his career and last year was a bit of a downer. That can happen when you're young.
"Hopefully he bounces back and gets a good pre-season under his belt."
Every Lions player has been handed a personalised training program to prepare them for next season.
Some are bulking up and others are chasing speed records.
Sherman craves endurance so he can add another element to the midfield or provide impact as a scrounging forward.
Play hard, play safe, play clean...but don't play macho if it's bad. Go to hospital.
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