The road to AFL football has been a rocky one for Sam Docherty. A dominant force for the Gippsland Power in his TAC Cup days, Docherty’s selection at pick 12 by the Lions in 2011 caught few by surprise. A dashing half-backman with a devastating right boot, his potential was unquestioned.
However an extended recovery from off-season hip surgery kept the young Lion out of action throughout the early stages of his maiden season, returning to full fitness late in the year to become a crucial cog in the Lions reserves’ 2012 premiership.
A fresh and above all fit Docherty returned in 2013 determined to make his mark on the AFL, and it took him only a handful of reserves games to earn a spot in the seniors. Months of hard work were rewarded as 19 year old Sam Docherty made his AFL debut in the round four match against North Melbourne.
“It was a bit of a blur,” Docherty recalled.
“You can’t really plan for what it’s going to be like. It was pretty tough at first getting used to the intensity, but further through the game it got a bit easier.”
His debut was worth the wait, as a 20 disposal match off half back gave a clear indication of Docherty’s talent.
Another brief stint in the reserves was quickly rewarded with a recall to the seniors, as Docherty put together a run of AFL games for the first time in his fledgling career. Included in this run was the remarkable come from behind victory against Geelong, a game that Docherty considers to be the highlight of his career.
“It was a very good game to be a part of. They don’t happen very often.”
“I was on the bench (when McGrath kicked the winning goal), and the people there had to hold us all back so we didn’t give a free kick away, because all of us just wanted to run on. We got to the huddle just as it was breaking up, so we all jumped on top.”
Unfortunately, as has so often been the case for the luckless Docherty, injury has curtailed his growing momentum. A back injury suffered in the loss to Hawthorn has seen him return to the physio’s bench, but Docherty refuses to let another blow keep him down.
“I just jammed up in a tackle last week, and it was a bit sore during the week but if I can get through training and some contact stuff then I should be right to play on the weekend,” Docherty said.
You could forgive Docherty for feeling a little hard done by as he is sidelined by yet another injury, but his is a refreshingly positive outlook, and one that demonstrates his resilience when faced with adversity.
“It’s frustrating, but it’s kind of good in a way to get a bit of a rest. It was good just to play a few games in a row.”
“You can’t really help injuries. There’s no point getting frustrated about them, because they happen. I would have liked to have kept playing, but I can’t do much about it.”
Possessing all the attributes required to succeed at AFL level, Docherty is developing into one of the brightest young prospects on the Lions’ list, but the defender is happy to take things one step at a time.
“I’d just like to play most, if not all of the rest of the year in the ones (seniors). I need to work on my game, I’ve still got a lot to learn. I just want to get up and get a game, and hopefully I can hold my spot up there.”
