Take the radical approach: Malceski
Defender Nick Malceski says his return to form should encourage other knee injury victims to choose radical surgery
Port Adelaide's David Rodan is set to make his senior return this weekend, just 16 weeks after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament and undergoing the LARS (ligament augmentation and reconstruction surgery) procedure.
And Carlton's Brad Fisher is six weeks away from returning to the field after suffering a serious knee injury in the opening round of the NAB Cup.
Malceski, who has been one of the Swans' best players in their impressive start to 2010, said he had been in touch with Rodan and his former TAC Cup teammate Fisher as they contemplated their surgical options.
"I guess it has given them confidence, knowing that it's worked for me. I'd recommend it to anyone and anyone who wants advice, I'm happy to give it," he said.
Malceski ruptured his ACL in a pre-season game in 2008 and returned to senior football less than 90 days later, in round eight, after opting for the LARS procedure.
He failed to regain the form that earned him second place in the Swans' best and fairest award in 2007 but he maintained it was his mental attitude, not his knee, that held him back.
"Obviously it didn't work for me the year after I did my knee - I wasn't too good - but you get back and you get the confidence quicker, I think," he said.
"You don't miss 12 months of footy and especially if you're out of contract, you're back in three months and it gives you a good opportunity to really set yourself for the rest of the year, especially if you do it early."