Essendon midfielder Adam Cooney says he came close to retiring four years ago but he’s proud of the way he’s been able to fight back.
The Brownlow medal winner was at the peak of his powers when he injured his right patella and damaged his cartilage in the 2008 finals series.
The condition of his knee deteriorated over the next couple of years and by 2012 he was restricted to 14 games.
“One of the things that I’m most proud of is, the way that I’ve come back to play,” Cooney told Bomber Radio.
“I was pretty close to retiring in 2012.
“I had a pretty bad knee that I couldn’t really train, I couldn’t really play.
“The way that I’ve been able to come back and actually get back and play for another four or five years, I think I’ve been pretty proud of the way that I’ve been able to do that.”
Cooney joined Essendon at the end of 2014.
He played 11 games in his first season and played all 15 this year but the coaching staff have decided to rest him from Saturday’s game against Richmond.
“It’s always good when you’re over 30 to refresh,” Cooney said.
“We had four days off over the mid-season break and then back into it. Then we had another 10 day break.
“It was good to have a couple of weeks where you have a little bit of time off legs and are able to refresh a little bit for the second half of the season.”
In a season where Essendon has needed its experienced players to lead the way, Cooney has been one of the Club’s best.
He’s averaging 23.4 possessions per game and is in the Club’s top five for metres gained, contested possessions and clearances.
The 30 year old said a revised training program has allowed him to be a strong contributor in recent months.
“It’s been nice to play every game this year. Building fitness probably took a little bit of time, the first month of footy wasn’t my best but I’ve been building a little bit of form since then,” Cooney said.
“It’s nice to contribute to the team.
“I’ve got a few chronic injuries. I had a sore knee for a while, so it’s just about managing that and not overdoing it. If I over train it’s a chance to get injured, so I’ve been working really hard with the fitness staff and 'Bluey', the midfield coach, just to tailor my training program so I can get the most out of every week, and play every week.”
Cooney said the team want to secure at least one more win before the end of the season, not only for their own morale, but to reward the fans that continue to stand by the Club.
“When you play a game like that (St.Kilda), and you almost get over the line, you’re really disappointed that you lost," Cooney said.
“But then, when the fans are cheering you and clapping the effort from the guys, that’s what keeps you happy as well.
“They’re a pretty passionate bunch the Essendon fans.
“They’re doing it tough as well, we know that, for them to keep backing up and support us has been terrific this year.
“We’d like to have one or two more wins towards the back end of the year.
“It would be great for our group and it would certainly be good for our fans as well.”
